Rough notes taken during some rapid journeys across the Pampas and among the Andes

Abstract

OUTLINE sides ; the view is completely obstructed ; not an animal is to be seen ; and the stems of the thistles are so close to each other, and so strong, that, independent of the prickles with which they are armed, they form an impenetrable barrier.The sudden growth of these plants is quite astonish- ing ; and though it would be an unusual misfor- tune in military history, yet it is really possible, that an invading army, unacquainted with this country, might be imprisoned by these thistles before they had time to escape from them.The summer is not over before the scene undergoes another rapid change : the thistles suddenly lose their sap and verdure, their heads droop, the leaves shrink and fade, the stems become black and dead, and they remain rattling with the breeze one against another, until the violence of the pampero or hurri- cane levels them with the ground, where they rapidly decompose and disappearthe clover rushes up, and the scene is again verdant.Although a few individuals are either scattered along the path, which traverses these vast plains, or are living together in small groups, yet the general state of the country is the same as it has * When first 1 lived with the Gauchos, J could not conceive how they possibly managed to eat so quickly meat which I found so unusually tough, but an old Gaucho told me it was because I did not know what parts to select, and he immediately cut me a large piece which was quite tender.I always after- wards begged the Gauchos to help me, and they generally smiled at my having discovered the secret.

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