Siberia, like Patagonia, appears to have been recently elevated above the waters of the sea.
In both countries the salt-lakes occupy shallow depressions in the plains; in both the mud on the borders is black and fetid; beneath the crust of common salt, sulphate of soda or of magnesia occurs, imperfectly crystallised; and in both, the muddy sand is mixed with lentils of gypsum.

The Siberian salt-lakes are inhabited by small crustaceous animals; and flamingoes ("Edinburgh New Philosical Journal" January 1830) likewise frequent them.

As these circumstances, apparently so trifling, occur in two distant continents, we may feel sure that they are the necessary results of common causes .-- See "Pallas's Travels" 1793 to 1794 pages 129 to 134.) Well may we affirm that every part of the world is habitable! Whether lakes of brine, or those subterranean ones hidden beneath volcanic mountains--warm mineral springs--the wide expanse and depths of the ocean--the upper regions of the atmosphere, and even the surface of perpetual snow--all support organic beings.
To the northward of the Rio Negro, between it and the inhabited country near Buenos Ayres, the Spaniards have only one small settlement, recently established at Bahia Blanca.

The distance in a straight line to Buenos Ayres is very nearly five hundred British miles.

The wandering tribes of horse Indians, which have always occupied the greater part of this country, having of late much harassed the outlying estancias, the government at Buenos Ayres equipped some time since an army under the command of General Rosas for the purpose of exterminating them.