PREFACE. 



IN offering this book as a slight contribution to the biblio- 

 graphy of Brazil I must claim indulgence for many short- 

 comings. It is merely intended as a sketch ; but, in addition 

 to the journal, which is almost entirely formed of letters 

 written home, I have added short notes on various subjects, 

 which I hope may be of interest to many different classes 

 of readers. 



Before starting for Brazil which I did at a week's 

 notice I received letters from scientific friends intimating 

 that they expected me to carry on extensive researches, 

 make collections, and take notes on most of the branches 

 of natural science. Each of the subjects would have been 

 sufficient to occupy my whole time ; but I went out for a 

 special purpose, to survey for a railway, in a position of 

 considerable responsibility, and unexpected duties and 

 anxieties devolved upon me. Respecting this work, which 

 engrossed my attention and, of course, most of my time, 

 I am thankful to say I was enabled to carry it out satis- 

 factorily; but in my book, for many reasons, I have refrained 

 from treating on that subject in detail. 



All botanists know the labour entailed by the pre- 

 servation of plants, and will understand why I was unable 

 to do what I could have wished in that line. 



