24 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE CHAP. 
the brushwood is a fruit tree, namely, the 
guava, which from its abundance is as noxious 
as a weed. In Brazil I have often admired 
the contrast of varied beauty in the banana, 
palm, and orange tree; here we have in addi- 
tion the breadfruit tree, conspicuous from its 
large, glossy, and deeply digitated leaf. It is 
admirable to behold groves of a tree, sending 
forth its branches with the force of an Eng- 
lish Oak, loaded with large and most nutri- 
tious fruit. However little on most occasions 
utility explains the delight received from any 
fine prospect, in this case it cannot fail to en- 
ter as an element in the feeling. The little 
winding paths, cool from the surrounding 
shade, led to the scattered houses; and the 
owners of these everywhere gave us a.cheerful 
and most hospitable reception.” 
Darwin himself has told us, after going 
round the world that “in calling up images of 
the past, I find the plas of Patagonia fre- 
quently cross before my eyes; yet these plains 
are pronounced by all to be most wretched 
and useless. They are characterised only by 
negative possessions; without habitations, 
