314 TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



chairs, a table, a large chest, a bed, consisting of a 

 straw mat, or an ox hide on boards, supported by 

 four pegs (^girdoy Instead of beds, the Brazilians 

 almost always make use of the woven or braided 

 hammocks {piarqueiras), the best and most durable 

 of which are manufactured, in the provinces of S. 

 Paulo and Minas, of white or coloured cotton 

 threads. The traveller nowhere meets with any 

 wells, and must therefore be satisfied with rain, 

 spring, or river water, for every purpose. The in- 

 habitants of Taubate have the appearance of more 

 prosperity and refinement than those of the other 

 small places through which we had before travelled ; 

 which is perhaps owing to their more lively inter- 

 course with Rio de Janeiro and S. Paulo. A few 

 vines also are cultivated here, the fruit of which 

 was just ripe, and of an agreeable flavour. 



Southwards of Taubate the road extends through 

 the valley of the Paraiba, over several woody and 

 moist hills, which are covered with beautiful ferns, 

 melastomas, and aroideae, which thrive in wet 

 situations. The low plain is likewise rich in the 

 finest plants and insects : among others, we found 

 here the Ceramhyx longimanus ; of birds, a new 

 long-tailed brown Tyranims, and the Cuculus 

 Guira. After two days' journey through verdant 

 plains alternating with low woods, in which we 

 passed the vendas of Campo grande, Sahida do 

 Campo, Paranangaba, and the small village of 

 S. Joze, we came to the villa of Jacarehy (which 



