240 AMAZONIA AND LA PLATA. 



greatest cold scarcely exceeds 20° Fahr. The most abrupt changes take place when 

 the minuano (west or north-west winds) descend from the Andes, or when the 

 pampeiro sweeps up from the Argentine pampas. 



The precipitation is very unequally distributed throughout the year. Normally 

 it falls in winter ; but the summer rains, though of shorter duration, are heavier. 

 Altogether the annual rainfall is estimated for the whole region at about 

 40 inches.* 



Flora — Fauna. 



As in the neighbouring States as far as S. Paulo, the most marked contrasts 

 in the vegetation are presented by the woodlands and carapos ; but in Rio 

 Grande the transition is in some places extremely abrupt from the herbaceous to 

 the forest zone. Elsewhere it is more gradual, and in several districts thickets 

 of dwarf palms {hutia rasteira) are dotted over the grassy plains. The primeval 

 forest, continuing the northern selva, occupies the Serra do Mar, and extends 

 along the scarp of the mountains skirting the north side of the Jacuhy 

 depression. 



In the north and north-west the Uruguay flows through vast wooded tracts, 

 and here is found the greatest variety of species, as well as the richest soil, so 

 that the Upper Uruguay valley seems destined to become the most densely 

 peopled region in the State. South of the Jacuhy the Serras do Herval and 

 dos Tapes have also their primeval forests, but nearly the whole of the central 

 and western regions belong to the campos zone. Southwards these almost treeless 

 expanses assume the character of the Argentine pampas. 



In llio Grande the palm family is reduced to about ten species, including the 

 Jeriva [cocos coronal a), whose leaves wrapped round maize cobs are preferred by 

 horses to all other food. The araucaria cones attract flocks of parrakeets, and 

 also serve to fatten swine. The local flora also includes various bamboos, and the 

 bromeliacea cravata (caraguata), which resembles the pineapple. Although the 

 valuable jacaranda is absent, the Rio Grande forests contain over a hundred species 

 useful for building and cabinet-work. 



Rio Grande, like Amazonia, has its apes and vampires, its jaguars and 

 pumas ("lions"), although these are becoming rare, its iguanas, turtles and alli- 

 gators. The forests are still frequented by the peccary, cutia and tapir ; but the 

 A'iscacha {lagostomus tricltodactijlns) met on the right or Argentine side of the 

 Uruguay, is unknown on the left bank. The same river also forms a divide 

 between other animal species, such as the anteater and coati (nasica socialls), which 

 occur onl}' on its east side. 



* Climatic conditions of Rio Grande do Sul on the coastlands and in the interior : — 



Mean 

 Latitude. Temperature. BainfaU. Rainy Days. 



Santa Cruz . . . 29M5' 66" Fahr. ? 107. 



Pelotas . . . 3r 46' 63° Fahr. 42 inches 83 



Rio Grande . . . 32" 7' 65° Fahr. 39 inches 80 



