TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 45 



the following day we had again to pass through 

 low but thick woods, in which we caught the little 

 atlas (A. Aurora), and a new beetle of the species 

 Lamprima,withyerymuch bent mandibles anteriorly 

 bifurcated. Towards evening we issued from the 

 wood; and, after passing high campos covered 

 with luxuriant grass, reached the Villa de Sorocaba. 

 This pretty place lies on the inconsiderable river 

 of the same name, which flows into the Tiete to 

 the west of it, and over which there is a wooden 

 bridge. Some German workmen had long been 

 expected here for the neighbouring iron-foundry 

 of Ypanema, and the people immediately over- 

 whelmed us on our arrival, with questions respect- 

 ing their coming, their ability, and the method of 

 working the metal in Germany. So evident a mark 

 of interest in a royal establishment inspired us with 

 a favourable opinion of the civil character of the 

 people of Sorocaba. In fact, we learnt afterwards 

 that they everywhere enjoyed the reputation of 

 trust-worthiness, and honesty, wherever they ap- 

 pear with herds of unbroken mules, the sale of 

 which is their most important branch of traffic. 

 The capitao mor immediately regaled us with ripe 

 grapes ; while eating which the question occurred 

 to us — why this fruit produces, in this country, so 

 little saccharine matter, while the ananas, in the 

 province of S. Paulo, are so remarkably sweet and 

 well-tasted? Perhaps this circumstance arises 

 from the soil containing too little lime, being rather 



