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

338 BARRENNESS — AXIMALS. April few shrubby bushes are seen. But over the wide desola- tion of the stony barren waste not a ti*ee — not even a soli- tary ' ombu'' * — can be discerned. Scattered herds of ever- wary guanacoes, startled at man's approach, neighing, stamp- ing, and tossing their elegant heads ; a few ostriches striding along in the distant horizon, and here and there a solitary con- dor soaring in the sky, are the only objects which attract the eye. Certainly, upon looking closely, some withered shrubs and a yellow kind of herbage may be discerned ; and, in walk- ing, thorns and prickles assure one painfully that the plain is not actually a desert : but I am quite sure that the general impression upon the mind is that of utter hopeless sterility. Is it not remarkable that water-worn shingle stones, and dilu- vial accumulations, compose the greater portion of these plains .P On how vast a scale, and of what duration must have been the action of those waters which smoothed the shingle stones now buried in the deserts of Patagonia. Fresh water is seldom found in these wastes ; salinas-^ are numerous. The climate is delightful to the bodily sensations but for productions of the earth, it is almost as bad as any, except that of the Arabian, or African deserts. Rain is sel- dom known during three quarters of the year ; and even in the three winter months, when it may be expected, but little falls excepting on rare occasions, when it comes down heavily for two or three days in succession. Sea winds sometimes bring small misty rain for a few hours, at any time of year, but not enough to do good to vegetable productions. The only ani- mals which abound are guanacoes, and they care little for fresh water, for they have often been seen drinking at the salinas. The puma probably quenches its thirst in their blood ; of other animals, supposed to require much liquid, there are none in these regions. The climate is healthy and pleasant; generally a bright, sunny day is succeeded by a cloudless and extremely clear night. In • A kind of elder, growing here and there in Patagonia and the Pam- pas. See page 93. t Salt depositions or incrustations.