yet all meet in society as equals. In Entre Rios, the Sala consisted
of only six representatives. One of them kept a common shop, and
evidently was not degraded by the office. All this is what would be
expected in a new country; nevertheless the absence of gentlemen by
profession appears to an Englishman something strange.
When speaking of these countries, the manner in which they have been
brought up by their unnatural parent, Spain, should always be borne in
mind. On the whole, perhaps, more credit is due for what has been
done, than blame for that which may be deficient. It is impossible to
doubt but that the extreme liberalism of these countries must
ultimately lead to good results. The very general toleration of
foreign religions, the regard paid to the means of education, the
freedom of the press, the facilities offered to all foreigners, and
especially, as I am bound to add, to every one professing the humblest
pretensions to science, should be recollected with gratitude by those
who have visited Spanish South America.
December 6th.--The Beagle sailed from the Rio Plata, never again to
enter its muddy stream. Our course was directed to Port Desire, on the
coast of Patagonia. Before proceeding any further, I will here put
together a few observations made at sea.
Several times when the ship has been some miles off the mouth of the
Plata, and at other times when off the shores of Northern Patagonia, we
have been surrounded by insects. One evening, when we were about ten
miles from the Bay of San Blas, vast numbers of butterflies, in bands
or flocks of countless myriads, extended as far as the eye could range.
Even by the aid of a telescope it was not possible to see a space free
from butterflies. The seamen cried out "it was snowing butterflies,"
and such in fact was the appearance. More species than one were
present, but the main part belonged to a kind very similar to, but not
identical with, the common English Colias edusa. Some moths and
hymenoptera accompanied the butterflies; and a fine beetle (Calosoma)
flew on board. Other instances are known of this beetle having been
caught far out at sea; and this is the more remarkable, as the greater
number of the Carabidae seldom or never take wing. The day had been
fine and calm, and the one previous to it equally so, with light and
variable airs. Hence we cannot suppose that the insects were blown off
the land, but we must conclude that they voluntarily took flight. The
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