BOTANICAL INFOnMATloNf. 227 



most inert from having been brought, perhaps long before, 

 from Bahia and Maranhao, where also they had lain for 

 years. The hospital, peculiarly devoted to the use of the mi- 

 htary, contains forty beds. 



The principal church of N. Senora da Vitoria, and the two 

 chapels, are insignificant buildings. Here the Jesuits had a 

 college, now the residence of the clergyman [Vigario,) who 

 is empowered to exercise certain episcopal functions by the 

 bishop of Maranhao, the next authority under the gover- 

 nor of Oeiras, who, though inferior in rank to the governor 

 of Maranhao, is perfectly independent of him, and is the finan- 

 cial administrator. Here are garrisoned two companies of 

 troops of the line, with their commandant; forming the entire 

 military strength of the province. The whole population of 

 Piauhy, amounting when the troops were levied, to 71,000 

 souls, all that were capable of bearing arms, were organized 

 into three regiments of cavalry, and two of infantry. 



From the great distance at which this little city is situated 

 from the coast, (the chief town of Pernambuco, Recife, being 

 two hundred leagues distant to the east, and that of Maran- 

 hao, S. Luiz de Maranhao, an hundred leagues N.E.), it is 

 not surprising if an inferior state of education is observable 

 here ; while, on the other hand, there exist more simplicity 

 of manners, kindness, and hospitality, than are seen in larger 

 and more populous places. Oeiras ranks next in civilization 

 and wealth to Villa da Parnahyba, a flourishing place, from 

 its situation on the sea-shore, and the considerable trade which 

 it commands in cotton, tobacco, skins, tallow, and salted meat. 

 Oeiras itself can never be a depositary for the productions of 

 the interior of the province : the other Villas, as Pernagua, 

 Vallen9a, Campo Major, Marrao, &c., carrying their produce 

 in preference, either immediately to the sea, at Bahia, Parana- 

 hyba and Maranhao; or to Aldeas Altas, situated on the navi- 

 gable river Itaapicura, which latter is the most eligible spot 

 for the staple trade of Maranhao. 



The whole district of Oeiras abounds in picturesque and 

 highly varied prospects; its numerous hills, and low mountains 

 of red sandstone, arc "sometimes rent into bare fissures, at 



