S'2 RIO DE JANEIRO. [cuap.ii. 



time most useful to man. Wlio can doubt tiiat these qualitie.i 

 are united in the banana, the cocoa-nut, tlie many kinds of pahn, 

 the orange, and the bread-fruit tree? 



During tiiis day I was particularly struck Avitli a remark of 

 Humboldt's, who often alludes to "the tiiin vapour wliich,witli- 

 out changing the transparency of tiie air, renders its tints more 

 harmonious, and softens its effects." Tliis is an appearance 

 which I have never observed in the temperate zones. Tije at- 

 mospliere, seen through a short space of iialf or tliree quarters 

 of a mile, was perfectly lucid, but at a greater distance all 

 colours were blended into a most beautiful haze, of a pale French 

 grey, mingled with a little blue. The condition of the atmos- 

 phere between the morning and about noon, when the effect 

 was most evident, had undergone little change, excepting in its 

 dryness. In the interval, the difference between the dew point 

 and temnerature had increased from 7°.5 to IT'^. 



On another occasion I started early and walked to the Gavia, 

 or topsail mountain. The air was delightfully cool and fra- 

 grant ; and the drops of dew still glittered on the leaves of the 

 large liliaceous plants, which shaded the streamlets of clear 

 w^ater. Silting down on a block of granite, it was delightful to 

 •.vatch the various insects and birds as they flew past. The 

 humming-bird seems particularly fond of such shady retired 

 spots. AVhenever I saw these little creatures buzzing round a 

 flower, with their wings vibrating so rapidly as to be scarcely 

 visible, I was reminded of the sphinx moths : their movements 

 and habits are indeed in many respects very similar. 



Following a pathway I entered a noble forest, and from a 

 height of five or six hundred feet, one of those splendid views 

 was presented, which are so common on every side of Rio. At 

 this elevation the landscape attains its most brilliant tint ; and 

 every form, every shade, so completely surpasses in magnificence 

 all that the Eiu'opean has ever beheld in his own country, that 

 he knows not how to express his feelings. The general effect 

 frequently recalled to my mind the gayest scenery of tiie OjXra- 

 fioiise or the great theatres. I never returned from these excur- 

 pions empty handed. This day I found a specimen of a cuiious 

 fungus, called Ilymenophallus. Most people know the English 

 Phallus, which in autumn taints the air with its odious smell 



