_He saw Xaraycts diamond lanks unfold, And Paraguay's deep channel paved with gold._ Book I. Line 435. Some of the richest diamond mines are found on the banks of the lake Xaraya. The river Paraguay is remarkable for the quantities of gold dust found in its channel. The Rio de la Plata, properly so called, has its source in the mountains of Potosi; and it was probably from this circumstance that it received its name, which signifies River of Silver. This river, after having joined the Paraguay, which is larger than itself, retains its own name till it reaches the sea. Near the mouth, it is one hundred and fifty miles wide; but in other respects it is far inferior to the Maragnon. No. 6. _Soon as the distant swell was seen to roll, His ancient wishes reabsorb'd his soul;_ Book I. Line 449. The great object of Columbus, in most of his voyages, was to discover a western passage to India. He navigated the Gulph of Mexico with particular attention to this object, and was much disappointed in not finding a pass into the South Sea. The view he is here supposed to have of that ocean would therefore naturally recal his former desire of sailing to India. No. 7. _This idle frith must open soon to fame, Here a lost Lusitanian fix his name,_ Book I. Line 491. The straits of Magellan, so called from having been discovered by a Portuguese navigator of that name, who first attempted to sail round the world, and lost his life in the attempt. No. 8. _Say, Palfrey, brave good man, was this thy doom? Dwells here the secret of thy midsea tomb?_ Book I. Line 627. Colonel Palfrey of Boston was an officer of distinction in the American army during the war of independence. Soon after the war he proposed to visit Europe, and embarked for England; but never more was heard of. The ship probably perished in the ice. His daughter, here alluded to, is now the wife of William Lee, American consul at Bordeaux. No. 9. _The beasts all whitening roam the lifeless plain, And caves unfrequent scoop the couch for man._ Book I. Line 753. The color of animals is acquired partly from the food they eat, thro successive generations, and partly from the objects with which they are usually surrounded. Dr. Darwin has a curious note on this subject, in which he remarks on the advantages that insects and other small animals derive from their color, as a means of rendering them invisible to their more powerful enemies; who thus find it difficult to distinguish them from other objects where they reside. Some animals which inhabit cold countries turn white in winter, when the earth is covered with snow; such as the snowbird of the Alps. Others in snowy regions are habitually white; such as the white bear of Russia. No. 10. _A different cast the glowing zone demands, In Paria's blooms, from Tombut's burning sands._ Book II. Line 97.