TROPICAL AMERICA BRAZIL. 73 



Peru ; the number of mountains, the sources of count- 

 less springs, whose snow-clad summits tower above the 

 clouds ; the abundance of large streams, which, after 

 many windings, always seek the remotest coast ; de- 

 serts without sand, therefore the less heated ; impene- 

 trable forests, which cover the well-watered plains near 

 the equator, and which, in the interior of the country, 

 where the mountains and the water are most remote, 

 exhale immense masses of imbibed or self-producing 

 water. — All these circumstances give to the flat portion 

 of America a climate which, by its moisture and cool- 

 ness, forms a surprising contrast with that of Africa. 

 To these causes must be ascribed that extraordinary 

 luxuriance of vegetation, that exuberant foliage, which 

 forms the peculiar characteristic of the New Conti- 

 nent." 



(105.) In applying these observations to Brazil, — 

 an empire, which nearly absorbs one third of the 

 whole continent of South America, — some modifications 

 and particular exceptions must be niade ; and this we 

 are enabled to do from personal observation. Vege- 

 tation, indeed, covers nearly every part of this immense 

 region, but in very different degrees, and with some re- 

 markable peculiarities. A stupendous range of virgin 

 forests may be said to extend from one extremity of the 

 eastern coast to the other ; running parallel %vith the 

 shore, and forming a magnificent belt of verdure 

 between that and the interior : in these parts the 

 soil is amazingly rich, either a black vegetable mould, 

 or a fat red loam. It is in these situations that vege- 

 tation attains its highest luxuriance : nearly all the 

 large timber trees are found only in the virgin forests ; 

 and the groundj when cleared for cultivation, gives an 

 astonishing produce. But no sooner does the traveller 

 penetrate beyond this natural belt, on his way into the 

 interior, than he meets with a totally different country. 

 The Sertum districts then commence ; a name applied 

 generally to all inland parts situated beyond the virgin 

 forests. The Sertam country, however, possesses very 



