P. 274)
there is a curious account of the effects of a drought on the
elephants, at Benguela (west coast of Africa). "A number of
these animals had some time since entered the town, in a body,
to possess themselves of the wells, not being able to procure
any water in the country. The inhabitants mustered, when a
desperate conflict ensued, which terminated in the ultimate
discomfiture of the invaders, but not until they had killed
one man, and wounded several others." The town is said to
have a population of nearly three thousand! Dr. Malcolmson
informs me that, during a great drought in India, the wild
animals entered the tents of some troops at Ellore, and that
a hare drank out of a vessel held by the adjutant of the
regiment.
[9] Travels, vol. i. p. 374.
[10] These droughts to a certain degree seem to be almost
periodical; I was told the dates of several others, and the
intervals were about fifteen years.
CHAPTER VIII
BANDA ORIENTAL AND PATAGONIA
Excursion to Colonia del Sacramiento - Value of an Estancia -
Cattle, how counted - Singular Breed of Oxen - Perforated
Pebbles - Shepherd Dogs - Horses broken-in, Gauchos
riding - Character of Inhabitants - Rio Plata - Flocks of
Butterflies - Aeronaut Spiders - Phosphorescence of the
Sea - Port Desire - Guanaco - Port St. Julian - Geology
of Patagonia - Fossil gigantic Animal - Types of Organization
constant - Change in the Zoology of America - Causes of
Extinction.
HAVING been delayed for nearly a fortnight in the
city, I was glad to escape on board a packet bound
for Monte Video. A town in a state of blockade
must always be a disagreeable place of residence; in this case
moreover there were constant apprehensions from robbers
within. The sentinels were the worst of all; for, from
their office and from having arms in their hands, they robbed
with a degree of authority which other men could not
imitate.
Our passage was a very long and tedious one. The Plata
looks like a noble estuary on the map; but is in truth a poor
affair. A wide expanse of muddy water has neither grandeur
nor beauty. At one time of the day, the two shores,
both of which are extremely low, could just be distinguished
from the deck. On arriving at Monte Video I found that
the Beagle would not sail for some time, so I prepared for a
short excursion in this part of Banda Oriental. Everything
which I have said about the country near Maldonado is applicable
to Monte Video; but the land, with the one exception
of the Green Mount 450 feet high, from which it takes
its name, is far more level. Very little of the undulating
grassy plain is enclosed; but near the town there are a few
hedge-banks, covered with agaves, cacti, and fennel.
November 14th. - We left Monte Video in the afternoon.
I intended to proceed to Colonia del Sacramiento, situated
on the northern bank of the Plata and opposite to Buenos
Ayres, and thence, following up the Uruguay, to the village
of Mercedes on the Rio Negro (one of the many rivers of
this name in South America), and from this point to return
direct to Monte Video.
![The Voyage Of The Beagle By Charles Darwin
-
[8] In Captain Owen's Surveying Voyage (vol. ii. p. 274)
there is a curious account of the effects of a - Page 113](../images/travel.jpg)
