EL CARMEN, OR PATAGONES. RIO NEGRO. 
CHAPTER IV 
Rio Negro—Estancias attacked by the Indians—Salt Lakes—Flamingoes — R. 
Negro to R. Colorado—Sacred Tree—Patagonian Hare—Indian Families— 
General Rosas—Proceed to Bahia Blanca—Sand Dunes—Negro lieutenant— 
Bahia Blanca—Saline Incrustations—Punta Alta—Zorillo. 
RIO NEGRO TO BAHIA BLANCA 
July 24 th, 1833.—The Beagle sailed from Maldonado, and on 
August the 3rd she arrived off the mouth of the Rio Negro. 
This is the principal river on the whole line of coast between 
the Strait of Magellan and the Plata. It enters the sea about 
three hundred miles south of the estuary of the Plata. About 
fifty years ago, under the old Spanish government, a small 
colony was established here ; and it is still the most southern 
position (lat. 41 0 ) on this eastern coast of America, inhabited by 
civilised man. 
F 
