312 
AUGITIC LAVA. 
Book II. 
Near this spot the stratum of augitic lava appears in a 
highly interesting manner above the alluvial masses. The 
superposition resembles that of the Californian table-moun- 
tain, famed for its auriferous alluvial substratum. 
Further on, the Rio Grande winds through beautiful 
meadows, dotted here and there with groups of poplars ; 
while the banks of the river are covered with the same 
trees. At the commencement of this opening of the 
valley I came to an old branch of the river, covered with 
thousands of various kinds of geese and ducks, whilst large 
flocks of cranes lined the shores. With the aid of some 
bushes, I crept along till I came within gun-shot. On my 
discharging both barrels into the midst of these flocks of 
birds, a cloud of water-fowl rose on the wing ; the flapping 
of wings and the screams filled the air. In the water geese 
and ducks were fluttering about, which I had wounded but 
not killed, and, on my approaching them, they had still 
strength left to escape. I waded into the water up to the 
waist, with a pistol in my hand, but only succeeded in 
capturing a single duck, which I secured by a pistol- 
shot. 
