224 BOTANirAI, INFORMATION. 



improvident in his use of them as here, so reckless of profit-' 

 ing by his advantages. Formerly, each individual ftirm con- 

 sisted of three square leagues of land; and a league of nentral 

 ground lay between each, on which the herds of these neigh- 

 bours might feed in common, without however, being allow- 

 ed to settle upon it. But generally the free blacks or mu- 

 lattoes are now suffered to erect their little dwellings or farms 

 on these districts, though the proprietors of the Fazendas do 

 not give up any part of the land ; because they consider a 

 large extent of it indispensable to the prosecution of their 

 business. Doubtless it is necessary, when drought takes 

 place, that the herds shall have a considerable range on which 

 they may seek pasturage and water : still the sinking of wells, 

 and due attention to irrigation, would prevent the most seri- 

 ous evils that now accrue from a continuance of dry weather. 

 By adopting these means, too, the present scanty population 

 might be safely increased; and this lovely tract of country 

 would acquire that importance which it justly deserves; and 

 its peculiar natural advantageswould be appreciated in Brazil. 

 Between ihe Fazendas Campo Grande and Castello, we had to 

 cross a part of the Serra Imperial^ a mountain of similar free- 

 stone formation with the Topa and Serra Branca. We were 

 repaid for the labour which it cost us to travel over the nar- 

 row roads, obstructed with blocks of stone, by the view which 

 we obtained of the fresh verdant Campos, and scattered Ca- 

 tinga ivoods, which we reached before comin'' to the Fazenda 

 Brejo, where the Inspector do Caninde has his residence. Here 

 we met with the kindest hospitality; and our French servant 

 was even solicited to remain, and marry, and settle among 

 them. From Brejo to the next royal Fazenda, called Jlha, 

 the way was highly delightful, and by its undulating hills 

 and dales, continually reminded us of the beautiful fields of 

 Minas. The Catingns gave place to light airy shrubs; and 

 in the well-watered lowlands the Carnaiiva Palms grew in- 

 termingled with stately woods, of which the sight was pecu- 

 liarly attractive. Blue Aras {Psittaciishyacynthinus, Lath.) 

 that build ond breed in the thick tops of these Palms, flew 



