162 FLORA OF BRAZIL. 
short period. We found, however, that if there be too little 
water here in the dry season, we had by far too much of it in 
the wet one, as we generally got ourselves well drenched 
every day, and often experienced great difficulty in passing the 
flooded rivers. I had also much trouble in preserving the 
plants which I collected during the journey, owing to the 
great humidity of the atmosphere, and the want of proper 
means to dry the paper. 
Four months were devoted to the investigation of the 
botany of the country around Oeiras ; and notwithstanding 
that it is in general flat, and with but little diversity of soil, 
upwards of four hundred species were added to my former 
collections. Shortly after my arrival, a revolutionary move- 
ment took place to the westward, and the country being in 
the hands of the rebels, I was prevented from penetrating 
further in that direction. Unwilling to retrace my steps, I 
determined to proceed southward, to Rio de Janeiro, 
through the great inland provinces of Goyaz and Minas 
Geraes; though but ill provided for such an undertaking, 
partieularly in pecuniary matters, the disturbed state of the 
country rendering it impossible to receive money from the 
coast. I had, however, my profession to depend on, andl ` 
knew that if much money would not be gained by it, a great 
deal of expense might be saved. The country to the south- 
ward and west, being also in rather an unsettled state, I was 
advised by influential persons not to pursue this proposed 
journey, as I should run a great risk of losing my life by so 
doing; but my strong desire to pass through a hitherto un- 
explored country, determined me not to listen to their advices 
and having made all the preparations my limited means would 
allow, we left Oeiras towards the latter end of J uly. 
A journey of somewhat more than two months brought 
us to Duro, an Indian mission, situated on an elevated table- 
land, in the north-eastern extremity of the province of Goyaz. 
On the route, upwards of five hundred species of plants were 
collected. After passing through the flat, arid and burning 
Campos of Piauhy, we entered upon a more elevated and 
