Scenery in the Bay. 157 



Estrella, the Serra da Tingua (which is currently believed 

 to be the highest mountain, not merely on the bay, but in 

 Brazil), then the deep valley of Santa Cruz, next to which the 

 mountain-chains of Suaratyba, and the Serra de Iguassou, 

 rise majestically, melting away into the charming Tejuca chain, 

 the Gavia, and the world-renowned Corcovado, whilst the 

 Sugar Loaf, that gigantic guardian at the entrance of the 

 harbour, splendidly terminates this magnificent amphitheatre. 



We passed the largest of the islands in the bay, the Ilha 

 do Governador, which has a circumference of upwards of 

 seven miles, and is inhabited by about a hundred persons 

 chiefly employed in the chalk-kilns, sail-cloth and soap manu- 

 factories ; and touched at some wild spots that promised a 

 harvest for our naturalists. Here and there, from the deep 

 blue waters, sprang up islands of the most luxuriant vege- 

 tation, like tropical idylls of rock and forest, such as the eye 

 marvels to rest upon, but the pen refuses to describe. Indel- 

 ibly impressed on our minds remains in this respect the lovely 

 islet of Catalan, with its beautiful flowers and palms. 



On approaching the capital, towards the east of the bay, 

 passing the island Bom Jesus, with a magnificent Franciscan 

 monastery, and the Ponta do Caju, with charming country seats, 

 a forest of masts, strikes the eye in bold contrast with the 

 Sugar Loaf in the east, and the JNIorro de Viracao and the 

 fort Pico in the west, which covers the position of Santa Cruz. 

 Unfortunately we went down, just at this point, to a splendid 

 banquet, etiquette requiring that we should exchange the 



