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, gloss}^, 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 plains 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, 



