in Brazil, and on the Equator. 45 
particular spots where the foliage did not form a mechanical 
obstruction. 
On the excursion made from Villa Rica to Sabara, it will be 
seen that violent thunderstorms were experienced almost daily : 
nothing causes so much attention to be paid to the weather as be. 
ing exposed to its changes, and I could not help noticing the 
way these storms commenced. Thesky was perfectly clear until 
about two or three o’clock, when some light white clouds were 
seen approximating the sun with great rapidity. Sometimes 
they all passed, but if one lingered, as if within its influence, 
thunder was heard, and in a few minutes no remains of a blue 
sky were visible. The storm commenced directly, and the 
change that took place in the temperature often caused a kind 
of whirlwind. 
As after all, perhaps, we must search for the cause of that 
singular excrescence the goitre or wen, in the state of the air or 
vicissitudes of climate, it may not be irrelevant to mention that 
I met by far the greater number of persons afilicted with this 
complaint near Sabara. 
From the degree of cold in the province of the mines, the hue 
of the negroes is much deeper than in Rio de Janeiro. The * 
Mineiros who come down complain much of the heat, and have 
their health affected. This may proceed, however, from other 
causes, such as excess in fruits, which are unknown in their pro- 
vince, and a mode of life entirely different. Iam inclined to 
think, on the whole, that foreigners would consider the coast 
more healthy than the interior. 
Having reached Rio de Janeiro, I embarked on board His Ma- 
jesty’s ship Owen Glendower for England on the 22d November, 
and as soon as the usual sickness had abated, recommenced my 
observations with the hygrometer. The Hon. Captain Spencer, 
whose only aim seemed that of rendering all under his command 
and on board his ship perfectly happy, and in which it is almost 
superfluous to say he was most successful, dedicated a por- 
tion of his time to, and took considerable interest in, these expe- 
riments. Many of them recorded here were conducted by him, 
and he indeed suggested an improvement in the instrument 
