FAZENDA LIFE. 101 
drift, the poorer growth upon decomposed rock in place. 
Upon remarking this, we were told that the farmers who 
are familiar with the soil select that in which they find 
loose rocks imbedded, because it is the most fertile. 
They unconsciously seek the erratic drift. It may not 
be amiss to point out some of the localities in which 
these geological phenomena may be most readily studied, 
since they lie along the public road, and are easy of access. 
The drift is very evident in the swamp between Maua and 
Raiz da Serra on the way to Petropolis. In ascending 
the Serra at the half-way house there is an excellent 
locality for observing drift and boulders ; and beyond one 
may follow the drift up to the very top of the road. The 
whole tract between Villa Theresa and Petropolis is full 
of drift. Just outside of Petropolis, the Piabanha has 
excavated its bed in drift, while the banks have been 
ravined by the rains. At the station of Correio, in front 
of the building, is also an admirable opportunity for ob- 
serving all the erratic phenomena, for here the drift, with 
large boulders interspersed throughout the mass, overlies 
the rock in place. A few steps to the north of the station 
Pedro do Rio there is another great accumulation of large 
boulders in drift. These are but a few of the localities 
where such facts may be observed. 
On the evening of the 22d we arrived at Juiz de Fora, 
aad started at sunrise the next morning for the fazenda 
of Senhor Lage, some thirty miles beyond. We had a 
gay party, consisting of the family of Senhor Lage and that 
of his brother-in-law, Senhor Machado, with one or two 
other friends and ourselves. The children were as merry 
as possible, for a visit to the fazenda was a rarity, ;.nd looked 
upon by them as a great festivity. To transport us all with 
