DEPARTURE FROM SOCEGO 



27 



of their sensitive petioles. It is easy to specify the indiv 

 objects of admiration in these grand scenes ; but 

 it is not possible to give an adequate idea of 

 the higher feelings of wonder, astonishment, and 

 devotion, which fill and elevate the mind. 



April i()th. — Leaving Socego, during the two 

 first days we retraced our steps. It was very 

 wearisome work, as the road generally ran across 

 a glaring hot sandy plain, not far from the coast. 

 I noticed that each time the horse put its foot on 

 the fine siliceous sand, a gentle chirping noise 

 was produced. On the third day we took 

 a different line, and passed through the gay 

 little village of Madre de Deos. This is 

 one of the principal lines of road in Brazil ; 

 yet it was in so bad a state that no wheel 

 vehicle, excepting the clumsy bullock- 

 waggon, could pass along. In our whole 

 journey we did not cross a single bridge 

 built of stone ; and those made of logs of 

 wood were frequently so much out of 

 repair that it was necessary to go on 

 one side to avoid them. All dis- 

 tances are inaccurately known. The 

 road is often marked by crosses, in 

 the place of milestones, to signify 

 where human 

 blood has been 

 spilled. On the 

 evening of the 

 23 rd we arrived 

 at Rio, having 

 finished our 

 pleasant little 

 excursion. 



dual 



MANDIOCA OR CASSAVA. 



During the 

 remainder of my 



stay at Rio, I resided in a cottage at Botofogo Bay. It was 

 impossible to wish for anything more delightful than thus to 



