THE AVENUE OF PALMS. 323 



quarter, lies on the shores of the most beautiful of the 

 coves round which the city has grown up. It mainly 

 consists of a range of handsome villas facing the sea, 

 each with a charming garden, and, in this season, 

 must be a delightful residence. But it is generally 

 admitted that the climate of Rio is debilitating to 

 European constitutions. As compared with most 

 coast stations in the tropics the heat is not excessive — 

 the mean temperature of the warmest month (Feb- 

 ruary) is not quite 80° Fahr., and that of the coldest 

 (July) about 70° ; but most Europeans, and especially 

 those of Germanic stock, require to be braced by 

 intervals of cold, if they are to endure a hot climate 

 with impunity. The annual appearance of yellow 

 fever in the city supplies a still stronger motive to 

 many of the foreign residents for fixing their abode 

 amongst the hills. The chief resort, which in summer 

 is frequented by most of the wealthier classes, is the 

 well-known Petropolis, in the Organ Mountains, or 

 Serra dos Orgaos, that rise beyond the northern 

 shores of the bay. 



From Botafogo I directed my steps towards the 

 Botanic Garden, and, as usual among people of 

 Portuguese descent, found great readiness in giving 

 information to strangers. Following a road that 

 turned away from the shore, I seemed to have left the 

 city far behind, and be quite in the country ; but pre- 

 sently another beautiful dark blue cove opened out 

 before me, and again turning inland I reached the 

 garden. I must confess to a feeling of something 

 like disappointment at the famous avenue of palms. 

 It has been correctly described as reproducing the 



