A FORTY DAYS' RIDE 237 



small streams flow through deep gorges, and near some of 

 the watercourses tall, dense forest grows. The soil is fer- 

 tile and would produce abundant crops of corn and vege- 

 tables. Countless herds of cattle could be reared on the 

 extensive plains, and the climate is cool and healthful. 

 There are few portions of South America so well suited to 

 colonization by Europeans, but on account of the remote 

 location and the lack of means of communication it will be 

 several decades before this vast and fruitful region will 

 become inhabited. 



It required about a week's time to cross the extensive 

 Cerro do Norte. The type of country gradually changes. 

 The vegetation of the chapadao gives way to a taller growth, 

 and the banks of the numerous streams are heavily for- 

 ested. Occasionally all other vegetation is superseded by 

 extensive areas of wild pineapples. Many square miles are 

 covered with dense thickets of the plants; during the greater 

 part of three days' ride we were seldom out of sight of 

 them. The fruit was just ripening by countless millions; it 

 was small but of delicious flavor. The Indians ate quanti- 

 ties and also made wine of it. 



We added few specimens to the collection after leaving 

 Utiarity. Animal life was not abundant, and the rapid 

 pace at which the expedition was compelled to move left 

 no time for collecting. The Nhambiquaras came to our 

 camp almost daily. They usually approached unarmed, 

 having concealed their bows and arrows some distance 

 away; that was a sign of peaceful intentions. One day we 

 passed one of their settlements; it contained a few low, 

 round huts made of poles covered with grass; one small 

 opening served as the doorway. We also encountered a 

 number of them on the march. A solitary man walked 

 first, carrying his bow and arrows only; about fifty yards 

 behind came a woman, heavily burdened with baskets, 

 calabashes, and children. Another man followed, and then 

 a second woman, and so on until the whole band had passed. 

 The reason for this formation is apparent. As the men are 



