4i8 A YEAR IN BRAZIL. 



with every one of us. I had no leisure to study the comparatively 

 nocuous effects of this or any other spirit on the natives ; but the 

 fact that those v^ho are addicted to it soon come to an untimely 

 end may not be owing to any specially injurious properties of 

 cachaga, but simply to the fact that all spirituous liquors are harm- 

 ful, taken in excess, especially in tropical countries. It is' useful 

 for mixing with water for washing purposes, thereby producing a 

 refreshing and stimulating effect, and for anointing insect bites. 



Restilo, or ristiri, as the name implies, is a redistillation of 

 cachaga, though sometimes applied to the ordinary spirit. It has 

 no smell when in the colourless form, and is much stronger than 

 cachaga, and also dearer, but generally excellent. The good old 

 lady at Camapuao had some tolerable Restilo do Reino, of a fine 

 light-brown colour ; and some liquor of the same name, bought 

 at Brumado, was similar to good Jamaica rum. The price was 

 800 reis (i.f. 4^/.) per pint bottle. 



Chillies, Pimentas. — There are many kinds, all excellent Some 

 are very hot, others mild ; some are sweet and lemon-flavoured, 

 others aromatic. The Mineiros are very fond of them ; they are 

 a good stomachic. 



Quince, Marmelo. — These are made into a jam, which is called 

 Marmdlada. 



Gooseberry, Gabirbba. — This is the Psidium cinereum (Mart), 

 P. gabiroba, and others of this extensive genus. In the spring 

 (October), the campos are quite white with the lovely flower 

 of this very abundant bush, which grows to about one or two 

 feet high ; and about Christmas, the shrubs are weighed down 

 by the luscious golden fruit, which, in taste, size, and appearance, 

 resemble our gooseberry. 



Guava, Psidium pyriferum. — This is an abundant wild fruit. 

 Unpalatable when raw, and with a peculiar pungent, disagreeable 

 sniell. It is principally made into goiabd, or marmalade, when it 

 is eaten with cheese. This reminded me of the custom that 

 obtains in Lancashire and Yorkshire of eating apple pie or damson 

 tart with the same article. 



Potato, Batata da India. — Yields two crops a year. 



Sweet Potato, Batata doce, Ifomcea batatas, L. — Yields four 

 crops a year. 



