Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/179

Rh earth sparkles, as though sown with brilliants, for flashing in every direction lies the inexhaustible mica.

One summit is soon climbed, and then at our feet lay the valley of Cosquin, about nine miles by two, the Rio Primero, like a silver thread, winding through it, the magnificence of the panorama recompensing us for the difficulties of the ascent. On the opposite side of the valley a succession of well-wooded hills extends one above another to the foot of the second range of the Sierras, 5000 feet high, and distant about twelve miles from the first. Our object was to reach the interior of the Sierras, which at this point average from five to six miles in breadth, and rise to an elevation of 3500 feet. Minerals are scarce in this part, although one or two old mines were passed, yielding carbonate of copper and of rich quality. Guanacos exist, but are scarce, and wild hogs, too, in the inaccessible parts of the woods below. Mounting still upwards, we reached the splendid pasture lands of the summits, presenting gentle, sloping terraces with long valleys threading in and out, and charming glens branching off; rich grass is abundant, but no tree nor shrub even meets our view: the cattle begin to be more numerous, and presently we arrive at the stone-wall boundaries which mark the limits of each estancia. So light and clear is the air that it imparts a positive sensation of delight to breathe it, and fatigue is forgotten. We dismounted at an estancia house and were received with the usual native politeness, and, mate being handed round, sent forward the peons to give notice of our arrival to the estanciero on whose property the hunt was to take place. This gentleman, whose name is Torres, welcomed our arrival with the utmost hospitality, although the dilatory peons had not yet put in an appearance to warn him of our approach. The estancia house—a very picturesque old building, faced by a hoary trained vine—has a patio in front, bounded by a trickling rivulet, shaded by patriarchal willows. An orchard of six squares, filled with various thriving fruit trees, stands adjoining. A few barns and other outbuildings, alfalfa, and wheat-fields, complete the exterior picture. No long time elapsed ere we were seated at a breakfast table, not certainly groaning, but literally creaking, with abundant fare. It is scarcely necessary to remark that we did justice to the good things provided, for a six-hours' ride over a very rough country gave us the customary appetite of hunters. The usual siesta followed, and then a consultation as to the