224 A YEAR IN BRAZIL. 



Corcovado, the Sugar-loaf, and the entrance to the Bay of 

 Rio. The Pedra da Gavea is also very well seen from this 

 neighbourhood ; but from its extraordinary shape it is an 

 object of interest from every point of view. 



July 26. We visited the waterworks called Reserva- 

 torio Dom Pedro II., situate on the Morro do Pedregulho 

 (Hill of Gravel), driving thither by tram along the St. 

 Christovao (St. Christopher) route, about three-quarters of 

 an hour out, partly along the road to Tijuca. It was again 

 a grilling and cloudless day, and so from the Reservoir 

 grounds, which are well kept, we had a beautiful view of 

 the western portion of the Bay of Rio, with its numerous 

 pretty eyots and larger islands, all covered with trees and 

 verdure. I have now seen the bay from many points, and 

 at each place find fresh beauties in the ever-varying fore- 

 ground, though the wondrous gigantic Organs always form 

 the background. It would be pleasant, indeed, to spend 

 a month cruising about the bay, which is about one hundred 

 miles in circumference, visiting the different islands, and 

 making excursions to some of the many hilltops. 



The large covered distributing reservoir was empty and 

 being cleaned out, so we were able to see it. It was 

 begun in December, 1876, and completed in May, 1880, 

 Its dimensions are 102 metres (334 feet) by 82 metres 

 (311 feet) by 5 metres (16 feet) deep, and the capacity 

 8,800,000 gallons.* It is roofed by a series of twenty 

 segmental brick arches. Situate 147 feet above the sea, 

 it is supplied by the waters of the rivers Ouro and 

 St. Antonio, which come a distance of thirty-two miles, 

 and flow through syphons into the small receiving re- 

 servoir at 1 80 feet above the sea. A new reservoir, about 

 the same size as the existing one, is in course of con- 



* Condensed from " Guia do Viajante no Rio de Janiero." 



