ABSTRACT
On arriving at Monte Video author found the Beagle would not sail for some time, so he prepared for a short excursion in this part of Banda Oriental. In the evening the postman or letter-carrier arrived. He was a day after his time, owing to the Rio Rozario being flooded. We crossed the Rozario, which was deep and rapid, and passing the village of Colla, arrived at mid-day at Colonia del Sacra-miento. A formation of red earthy clay, with nodules of marl, and in every respect indentical with that of the Pampas, is covered by a white limestone, containing large extinct oysters, and other marine shells. In the evening they proceeded on our road towards Mercedes on the Rio Negro. The province of Banda Oriental, if well stocked, would support an astonishing number of animals; at present the annual export of hides from Monte Video amounts to three hundred thousand; and the home consumption, from waste, is very considerable.
