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FLORA OF BRAZIL. 163 
consequently to the Botanist, more interesting country, 
abounding in Vellozias, beautiful Melastomacee, Composite, 
Diplusodons, and curious Eriocaulons. This country is, for 
the most part, uninhabited, and night after night, we had to 
sleep in the woods, dreading the attacks of a wandering tribe 
of Indians, who had committed several depredations 
shortly before, on some Brazilian settlers, further to the west. 
We often suffered much from not being able to procure pro- 
visions, and not unfrequently from want of water. A fort- 
night was spent among the Indians at Duro, during which 
time I made several botanical excursions in the neighbour- 
hood, and added largely to my stores. Leaving Duro, we 
proceeded to Natividade, a small town, about thirty leagues 
distant to the west, and the heavy rains having now com- 
menced, we were obliged to remain here upwards of three 
months, during which period, I gathered many noble plants, 
k particularly on the mountains of the vicinity. From Nativi- 
ade we continued our route to Arrayas, another insignificant 
town, about thirty leagues in a S.E. direction, and situated 
on the western flank of the Serra Geral, which divides the 
province of Goyaz from those of Minas Geraes, and Pernam- 
uco. Being a fine region for botany, and the rains not yet 
having ceased, I staid here about two months, amassing à 
splendid collection of Composite, Vellozias, Diplusodons, 
Gentianea, Melastomacee, Vochysias, Kielmeyerias, and many 
other curious plants, peculiar to the upland grassy Campos of 
. the interior of Brazil. 
The proper season for travelling in these countries having 
_ nOw arrived, I became desirous to resume my expedition, 
. 80 as to reach Rio, if possible, before the setting in of the 
_ hext rains; and quitting Arrayas about the beginning of May, 
. 1840, a painful, but interesting journey of forty-six days, 
1 through the palm swamps and arid uninhabited mountain- 
_ tracts on the Serra das Araras brought us to the Villa de 
E Bin Homáo, situated on the Rio San Francisco, in the pro- 
1 vince of Minas Geraes. A few days were spent here, to 
. Técruit both ourselves and the horses ; and in packing up 
N2 
