APPENDIX. 363 



human figures, as well as circles, squares, and other regular 

 forms. They are all. scraped on the excessively hard granitic 

 rock. Some are entirely above and others below high-water 

 mark, and many are quite covered with a growth of lichens, 

 through which, however, they are still plainly visible. (Plates 

 XV. and XVI.) Whether they had any signification to those 

 who executed them, or were merely the first attempts of a 

 rude art guided only by fancy, it is impossible now to say. 

 It is, however, beyond a doubt that they are of some antiquity, 

 and are never executed by the present race of Indians. Even 

 among the most uncivilised tribes, where these figures are 

 found, they have no idea whatever of their origin; and if 

 asked, will say they do not know, or that they suppose the 

 spirits did them. Many of the Portuguese and Brazilian 

 traders will insist upon it that they are natural productions, 

 or, to use their own expression, that " God made them ; " 

 and on any objection being made they triumphantly ask, 

 "And could not God make them?" which of course settles 

 the point. Most of them in fact are quite unable to see any 

 difference between these figures and the natural marks and 

 veins that frequently occur in the rocks. 



