Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

1832. SITUATION — ADVANTAGES. 105 small houses : — more were not required for the inhabitants, who, including the garrison, only amounted to four hundred souls. Some half-dozen brass guns were in a serviceable con- dition ; and two or three other pieces occupied old carriages, but did not seem to be trustworthy. The fort was commenced in April 1828, by a French engineer, named Parchappe. The first commandant was Es- tomba : his successor. Morel, was killed, with ninety followers, by a party of Indians under Chenil, in 1829. Valle and Rojas succeeded, and the latter was followed by Rodriguez. Placed in the first instance as an advanced post, at which to watch and check the Indians, rather than as a colony likely to increase rapidly, Argentina has scarcely made any progress since its establishment, though it is the beginning of what may here- after be a considerable place. Situated favourably for com- municating with Concepcion — by way of the pass through the Cordillera, near Tucapel — it is also the only port, between 25° S. and Cape Horn, capable of receiving in security any number of the largest ships. There is pasture for cattle near the streams which descend from the ' Sierra Ventana :' large salinas (spaces covered with salt) lie within an easy distance of the settlement : of brush- wood for fuel there is plenty, though there are no large trees and report says that there are valuable minerals, including coal and iron,* in the Ventana-f- mountain. The most serious objection to the locality, as an agricul- tural, or even as a mere grazing district, is the want of rain. Two or three years sometimes pass without more than a slight shower; and during summer the heat is great. In winter, there are sharp frosts, sometimes snow; but neither ice nor snow ever lasts through the day. Good fresh water may be generally obtained, independent of the few running streams, by digging wells between four and • I believe there is no good foundation for this report. Mr. Darwin's opinion is against the supposition. t The name ' Ventana' was given because of an opening, at the south side, resembling a window. ,