FORESTS OF BRAZIL. 101 



But we were anxious to pursue our grand purpose, and to 

 be abroad in the forests of Brazil admiring their beauty 

 and vast variety of game. With much difficulty we 

 effected an engagement with a native of Rio Janeiro, who 

 had travelled and hunted in the interior of the country, 

 and who was therefore considered a reliable guide. He 

 spoke English almost as well as Portuguese and Spanish 

 the chief languages of the country and seemed to be 

 brave and intelligent. We were well provided with horses 

 and mules ; but the guide insisted on our purchasing three 

 fine horses from the plains of Buenos Ayres. The cheap- 

 ness of these animals astonished Mr. Barrill as well as 

 myself. New spurs and heavy cloaks, or serapas, com- 

 pleted our equipment. About a week after our arrival at 

 Rio, we set off, in the best of spirits, for the interior of 

 the country. Yet it was several days before we left the 

 plantations of sugar, cotton, and coffee, behind us. 



Dense and impenetrable forests cover a great part of 

 the interior of Brazil, and exhibit a luxuriance of vegeta- 

 tion almost peculiar to the central regions of South Ame- 

 rica. The infinite variety of tints which these woods dis- 

 play, give them an aspect wholly different from those of 

 Europe. Each of the lofty sons of the forest has an effect 

 distinct from that of the rest. The brilliant white of the 

 silver tree, the brown head of the Mangou, the purple flowers 

 of the Brazil wood, the laburnums, the deep red fungus, 



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