32 MARTIUS ON THE BOTANY OF BRAZIL. 



covered, in the whole Regio-montana, with bushes or herba- 

 ceous plants, whilst in the northern part of the Regio-extra- 

 tropica, it is wooded even to the very summit. Two other 

 vegetable features occur intermediate between the forms 

 already alluded to, particularly in the north-western and 

 northern parts of this district : the one is characterized by 

 numerous, low stunted, and much ramified trees, whose 

 branches frequently spread out horizontally. They are seen 

 most abundantly on gentle declivities, table-mountains, and 

 elevated plains, and on this account, and because they often 

 afford no shelter to the traveller, they are called Taboleiro 

 coberto (covered table-land). The trees of this formation 

 are mostly very peculiar, and different from those of other 

 woods. The second form, and which likewise most frequently 

 occurs in the north-western and northern parts of this terri- 

 tory, and which constitutes the transition into another, is a 

 peculiar kind of thick bushes (Carrasco, or when larger trees 

 intervene, Mato carrasquento). These last kinds of vegeta- 

 tion in the mountain district mostly lose their foliage during 

 the dry months, often flower before they throw out fresh 

 leaves, which are at first soft and tender, but quickly harden- 

 ing and becoming as it were sapless. The plants of this 

 mountain-region Martins distinguishes by the name of 

 Oreades. 



III. Regio MONTANO-NEMOROSA : the district of mountain- 

 forests. To this especially belongs the Cordillera of the 

 coast (Serrodo Mar), which extends from the province of S. 

 Paulo to Bahia, and northerly from it to the other side of 

 the Francisco river, in the provinces of Alagoas and Pernam- 

 buco. This particularly consists of granite, gneiss, and 

 sienite. On account of the vicinity of the sea, and the dense 

 forests moistened by the numerous clouds, it is abundant in 

 springs. It is of inferior elevation to that of the Minas dis- 

 trict, some few of the rounded summits only attaining an 

 elevation of about 4000 feet. It maintains a peculiarly 

 luxuriant, rich and brilliant Flora, which, although it has 

 been the most investigated, will yet for a long time yield 



