THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. 497 



(Cascada Pequena) well known to all who have visited 

 Tijuca, and following a road which, winding along a low 

 rounded hill, brought us at length to the foot of the proper 

 peak. Here we encountered two diverging paths, and, after 

 some consideration, decided on following one which appeared 

 to lead in the proper direction. After pursuing this for 

 a short distance, however, it suddenly diminished into 

 a narrow track, which lay through the thick woods with 

 which the mountain is covered. This we followed for some 

 time, although not without certain misgivings that we were 

 mistaken in our route. We still persevered, nevertheless, 

 till the track became lost, and then spent a considerable 

 time in fruitless endeavours to struggle through the dense 

 undergrowth — a most fatiguing task, owing to the twiners 

 which everywhere barred our progress, tripping us up, and 

 cutting our fingers with their rough rind when we attempted 

 to break them. After some time occupied in this manner, 

 we came to the conclusion that, if we were to reach the top 

 of the mountain that day, the only course that lay open to 

 us was to retrace our steps, find the other path, and pursue 

 it. This we accomplished, though not without considerable 

 difficulty, on our way out of the thicket finding two dead 

 shells of the Bulimus ovatus, of one of which I give a sketch, 

 to illustrate the great size to which land-shells attain in these 

 regions. 



After striking into the proper path we followed it at a rapid 

 pace, in order to reach the summit of the peak before sunset, 

 as the afternoon was now wearing on. The route takes a 

 zigzag course, running at some points at the foot of dark gray 

 granite precipices, and the last part of the ascent, which is 

 very steep, is accomplished by means of steps cut in the rock. 



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