ATTRACTIONS OF PETROPOLIS. 327 



The abundant rains of this region have carved the 

 surface into a multitude of httle dells and recesses, 

 separated by hills and knolls of various size and 

 height, leaving in their midst one comparatively broad 

 space, where most of the buildings are grouped. The 

 streamlets that issue from every nook in the mountains 

 are finally united in two streams that flow in opposite 

 directions, but both, I believe, ultimately find their 

 way northward to the Parahyba. The streamlets 

 have been turned to account by the inhabitants, for 

 on each side of the main streets a rivulet of crystal 

 water serves to maintain the vigour of a line of trees 

 supplying the one need of the long summer — shelter 

 from the vertical midday sun. In the present season 

 (mid-winter) only one hotel was open ; but in summer, 

 when all who can do so escape from the oppressive 

 heat of Rio, two or three others are generally crowded. 

 It is at once apparent that PetropoHs is a place for 

 rest and enjoyment, not for business. The few shops 

 and hotels are all in the main street, Rua do Im- 

 perador; the other streets, or roads, lie between 

 ranges of detached villas, each with a garden, and 

 here and there some more secluded habitation is with- 

 drawn into some nook on the margin of the forest. 



The large majority of the trees and shrubs of this 

 region have persistent leaves, but a few lose their 

 foliage annually in winter, and a few others, I believe, 

 during the heat of summer. The only prominent 

 reminder of the fact that we were in winter was the 

 appearance of the Bombax trees that line the main 

 street, now completely bare of foliage. The tree 

 commonly planted in this part of Brazil is, I believe. 



