498 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 



the other's illness, and incapable of doing anything to afford 

 relief, racked with anxiety for the future, and worn with 

 excruciating pains. Thus did we travel onwards, till we 

 reached the Fazenda Sobradinho, on the Rio Parnahyba, 

 (Parnaiba) the largest river between the Rio de St. Fran- 

 cisco, and the Tocantins, and which, in its extensive course, 

 forms the boundary of the provinces of Piauhy and Ma- 

 ranhao. It here rolls its muddy, yellowish waters between 

 thickly bushy and rising shores, to the breadth of about 

 two hundred feet ; and though much contaminated by earth 

 and soil, it yet affords the only drinkable water to those who 

 live near, and who are consequently often seized with ague. 

 Our servants, whom the necessary care of the luggage 

 obliged to pass a night on the banks of the Parnahyba, 

 immediately evinced the baneful effect of its atmosphere. 



In the numerous farms situated to the south-west, upwards 

 along its banks, and where formerly the sole attention of 

 the proprietor was directed to the rearing of cattle, they 

 now cultivate much cotton. The Parnahyba is rather rapid, 

 but without any waterfalls ; downwards from the south-west 

 part of the Province of Piauhy it flows chiefly through a low, 

 swampy country, covered with primitive forests and dense 

 bushes, or with groves of the Carnaiiva and Buriti Palms. The 

 Brazilians only know this river accurately, as far as where 

 the Rio das Balsas joins it, the upper districts being almost 

 entirely uninhabited or only partially occupied by hordes of 

 Nomade Indians, belonging to the tribes of Acroas and 

 Gogues. It is navigated upwards by boats ; but downwards, 

 chiefly by Floats and balsas, constructed of the stems of the 

 Bariti Palm : its bed is level and the navigation good for 

 vessels of burdens from 3 to 5 cwts. The principal trade 

 consists in skins, leather, salted meat, tobacco and cotton, 

 which is obliged to be carried from the river to the sea, the 

 only sea- port of the Province of Piauhy being the Villa de S. 

 Joa do Parnahyba. Doubtless the trade would be considerably 

 greater if there were better access from the ocean. But the 

 river disgorges its waters through six mouths, all rather 



