32 RIO DE JANEIRO. [CHAP. n. 



time most useful to man. Who can doubt that these qualities 

 are united in the banana, the cocoa-nut, the many kinds of palm, 

 the orange, and the bread-fruit tree ? 



During this day I was particularly struck with a remark oi 

 Humboldt's, who often alludes to " the thin vapour which, with- 

 out changing the transparency of the air, renders its tints more 

 harmonious, and softens its effects." This is an appearance 

 which I have never observed in the temperate zones. The at- 

 mosphere, seen through a short space of half or three quarters? 

 of a mile, was perfectly lucid, but at a greater distance all 

 colours were blended into a most beautiful haze, of a pale French 

 grey, mingled with a little blue. The condition of the atmos- 

 phere between the morning and about noon, when the effect 

 was most evident, had undergone little change, excepting in irs 

 dryness. In the interval, the difference between the dew point 

 and temperature had increased from 7.5 to 17. 



On another occasion I started early and walked tr the Gavia, 

 or topsail mountain. The air was delightfully cool and fra- 

 grant ; and the drops of dew still glittered on the leaves of the 

 large liliaceous plants, which shaded the streamlets of clear 

 water. Sitting down on a block of granite, it was delightful to 

 v/atch the various insects and birds as they flew past. The 

 humming-bird seems particularly fond of such shady retired 

 spots. Whenever I saw these little creatures buzzing round a 

 flower, with their wings vibrating so rapidly as to be scarcely 

 visible, I was reminded of the sphinx moths : their movements 

 and habits are indeed in many respects very similar. 



Following a pathway I entered a noble forest, and from a 

 height of five or six hundred feet, one of those splendid views 

 was presented, which are so common on every side of Rio. At 

 this elevation the landscape attains its most brilliant tint ; and 

 every form, every shade, so completely surpasses in magnificence 

 all that the European has ever beheld in his own country, that 

 he knows not how to express his feelings. The general effect 

 frequently recalled to my mind the gayest scenery of the Opera- 

 house or the great theatres. I never returned from these excur 

 pions empty handed. This day I found a specimen of a curious- 

 fungus, called Hymenophallus. Most people know the English 

 Phallus, which in autumn taints the air with its odious srncll 



