AGRICULTURAL SKETCHES. 225 



and are commonly acompanied by the most dreadful thunder and 

 lightning. Fogs, snow and hail are seldom experienced, except on 

 the summits of the mountains. In Cayo, on the frontiers of Chili, 

 the winters are excessively cold ; while in summer the heats are 

 intense. 



Guiana. 



The soil of Guiana is surprisingly fertile, and a most luxuriant ve- 

 getation almost everywhere overspreads the country, which abounds 

 with the finest woods, fruits and plants. Many of the trees grow to 

 ihc height of 100 feet. The most delicious fruits are met with. The 

 guava and aviago pear are found in great abundance, and the pine- 

 apples and other fruits are of the finest quality. 



The country is subject to heavy and frequent rains, and, from the 

 great prevalence of moisture and heat, is unhealthy. 



The cultivated tracts are covered with sugar, cotton, coflfee and 

 indigo plantations. In some places the soil is so exuberant, that 

 ihirty crops of rice may be made in succession. 



Brazil. 

 In a large portion of this country the soil is very fertile. The 

 forests produce trees of a great variety, and of a remarkable size, 

 suited for ship-building and other purposes. They are of a re- 

 markably rapid growth. There are, besides, lighter species of wood, 

 similar to fir ; not to speak of logwood, mahogany, an infinity of 

 ornamental and dyeing woods. There are three kinds of brazil- 

 wood, which is an important article of export. Melons, bananas, 

 emons, guavas and oranges grow along the coast ; and aromatic 

 md medicinal plants are very abundant. The forests of Brazil are 

 acted for the gigantic growth and great variety of the trees ; the 

 irofusion and beauty of the flowering shrubs, hanging under a load 

 of blossoms ; the strange shapes and enormous strength and size of 

 he creepers and parasitic plants, and the clouds of gaily colored 

 )irds and splendid insects that everywhere abound. The jacaranda, 

 \o well known, and so extensively employed as an ornamental ma- 

 ;erial for furniture under the name of rosewood, attracts the eye by 

 he lightness of its doubly feathered leaves and its large golden 

 jolored flowers. The cocoa {theobroma), or chocolate-tree, from the 

 lemel of which chocolate is made, seems to be an aboriginal native 

 )f Brazil, although it is extensively cultivated in other countries. 



