The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-29

very expert riders they are. and II must
not bo imagined that II is . very easy
thing to ride over the pampA There are
numerous holes on the plain, caused ~
the so-called viscachas, small animals about
the size Of squirrels. They burrow into
the land 90 much that the horses very fre-
quently stumble in the holes made by
them. Only expert riders can avoid them.
and even they are guided BY the instinct
Of the animals after dark.
The pampa was undoubtedly covered
In prehistoric times by water, and under
the thin covering OF the soil there are
found now immense skeletons Of animals;
for instance, the megatherium. the myio-
don and similar huge creatures- They
lived and stalked out among the forests
and BIZ the sides OF the rivers. The giant
sIoth, or the MegGfheviun Curieyi, was
from twelve to fifteen feet long and with
bones larger than those OF an elephant
1t could impossibly have climbed the trees,
30 it is asserted that the gigantic sioth used
actually to uproot the whole tree in order
TO get the foliage for food.
The most peculiar creatures not extinct,
but living now, is the so-called matamata,
covered with armof and on its head wear
ing curiousiy shaped helmet, with long
tube in front serving as snout. The feet
are webbcd and armed with sharp claws.
The animal feeds in water, concealing it
self among reeds. II darts forward its
long neck and seises with sharp beak any
passing reptile, fish or water fowl.
But now let as change the scenery and
proceed towards the huge chain OF the An
des, in the vicinity Of Mendoza. We pass
the prairie, the gardens and orchards, the
humble adobe houses and the large man
sions Of the hacyenderos. These mansions
or hacyendas are built of mud bricks, have
thick walls and the rectangular patio in the
middle. The windows are usually without
glass, but protected by strong iron bars.
Behind these bars we see the fair and dark
eyed senorita. Is she is looking wonder
ingly toward the caravan of the strangers,
passing on their way towards the mount
aims.
parent atmosphere we perceive the bold,
ragged outline OF the immense chain. in
creasing in size as we approach it. The
Andes are before US, here covered with
ailvery mist, there sailing away like ice
bergs at sea. Soon the burning sun throws
his rays full on the eastern face of the
gigantic wall, the lace-like mist perishes,
and the huge mass is totally revealed in its
terrible but beautiful aspect. One above
the other tower the titanic peaks, masses
of dark shadow. The pass is narrow. i'm
mense ravines open, light vapor ascending
from its abyss. A tremendous ledge APP
pears, then rock pinnacle shoots up, then
again an abyss terrible to behold. The
light varies on every step. covering the
mountains with robes of transparent hue
or flushing the SUBMITS with rosy cloud
wreath. Then again the splendor fades
away, and the mysterious darkness yawns
before us. This gigantic chain divides the
Argentine Republic from Chill, the most
prosperous and the best-governed country
IN South America.
The extreme southern point Of South
America is Patagonia, divided now into
two parts. The eastern and the larger
part belongs to the Argentine Republic,
the western to Chill. The country is
rough. here rocky. there level, usually COW
cred with grass and traversed by small
rivers. It Il inhabited by tho Indians,
living in the so-called toldos, that is, tents
made by planting stakes of wood in the
ground and then covering them with the
skins Of animals- The guanacos, animals
looking like camel and like deer and
the American ostriches are very numer-
Gus In Patagonia.
Being such large country, the Argen-
tine Republi, has naturally great variety
Of products and different climate. In the
north. on the frontier of Bolivia, the cli-
mate II very hot, and there can be raised
all kinds Of tropical fruit; in the middle
the climate IL moderate, while In Pata-
gonia Il IL cold. Thus we have herTa cali
ente. tievu template and ieyra fra.
The Argentine Republic has done all it
could do to attract immigrants to the
country. In fact, the immigration has
been larger in the last years to La Plata
than to any other country in the world ex.
cept the United States. From the Apennine
peninsula there come hosts Of Italians,
while Great Britain, Ireland, Germany,
France and Spain send also numerous coll
onists. The Italians predominant, how
ever. and, In fact, they are so many that it
was feared few years ago that they would
seize the reins OF government in their
hands. There are now no less than SOC, 600
of Italians in the Argentine Republic. The
sons OF sunny Italy like very much the
climate Of no less sunny La Plata.
In the conclusion Of this first letter I
must make certain remark. It is custom
In the United States to call La Plata 1.-THE
Argentine Confederation" It is wrong.
The Argentine Confederation does not ex-
ist any more. but the Argentine Republic.
1t Is true in former times, after the war of
Independence 1Sll-lSl6). the different prov
inces formed confederation, and could
Join it or sever its connection With it.
Thus, for instance, Buenos Ayres severed
its connection with the Argentine Confed-
Grafton in 1853. but joined it again in 1861.
But now IL is changed, and the fourteen
provinces and four territories form one and
indivisible republic. NIL.
BLAINE KNOCKED HIM OFT.
Vet Salisbury Insists He IL Competent
Foreign Secretary.
LONDON, July 2S.-In the house of lords
tonight Baron Strahader raised a question
as to whether the Office of premier ought To
become united with that of foreign secre-
tary. Lord Salisbury replied that Glad