also the writings of Chamisso in Kotzebue's Voyage.
[8] In Captain Owen's Surveying Voyage (vol. ii. 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
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