238 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



Lycopodiums ; while hedges were formed in some places of a 

 handsome tall Alpinia. The small groves of bananas and 

 the orange plantations presented a most attractive appearance, 

 the long fronds of the former assuming most elegant curves as 

 a slight breeze stirred them now and then. As we rode along, 

 Dr. Gunning gave me much information about the country 

 and its inhabitants. Human life, from his account, appears 

 to be regarded as of but little value among the Brazilians, and 

 murdering each other seems to be the short and easy method 

 adopted among neighbours for the solution of difficulties in 

 their business transactions. One man, armed with a formi- 

 dable knife and a short double-barrelled carabine, whom we met 

 on the road and exchanged polite salutations with, had, I was 

 told, caused the death of one or two people ; and another indi- 

 vidual had acquired the soubriquet of " Mata-gente," from the 

 number of murders committed at his instigation. In reply to 

 my natural inquiry as to how such persons contrived to 

 escape the penalty due to their crimes, I was informed that 

 justice was easily evaded by a little judicious bribery. 



On the 15th I took a walk through the woods, accom- 

 panied by the Newfoundland dog earlier mentioned, and 

 armed with a kind of bill-hook wherewith to clear my way 

 through the twiners which stretched across the narrow paths. 

 Soon after setting out I descended the side of a steep hill-side, 

 covered with shrubs and herbaceous plants, to a beautiful 

 little stream, arched over by great ferns of various species, 

 and the gigantic sagittate leaves (above two feet long by a 

 foot broad) of an Araceous plant ; and having crossed it, found 

 my way into a narrow footpath running along near the edge 

 of a wood on an opposite hill. Here I saw a toucan for the 

 first time, some flocks of anis (Crotophaga), and several beau- 

 tiful humming-birds, and I also procured a number of fine 



