1865.] Science in Brazil. 705 



interest, in so far as we have seen in it a value lying whhout the fields of 

 pnre science. The speculations of the philosopher of to-day may to- 

 morrow become the established facts of commerce, and it will be impossible 

 for the investigations of Agassiz to leave behind them only barren results. 

 His labours may in the end yield us a harvest of material wealth ; indeed, 

 "we have before us at this moment one very pertinent illustration of this 

 fact, which we may assume is but the forerunner of many others of a 

 kindred kind. 



" Our readers have for a long time heard of the famous coal beds of 

 Candiota, in the Province of Rio Grande clo Sul. The expectations of 

 many are turned in that direction, as the most valued instance of the 

 hidden wealth of Brazil. Mr. Plant has so far awakened or revived an 

 interest in these things that from time to time the topic has been made a 

 public one, has been looked at as a field for commercial activity, and has 

 been debated each time with growing interest in the legislature. We are 

 not to-day talking of the value of this matter in the abstract, our minds 

 have long been made up upon that question ; we only wish to show how 

 the opinion of a man like Agassiz at once settles the whole question, and 

 leaves only to commerce the practical development of plans for making 

 available this most important element in a nation's wealth and power. 



" Mr. Plant, as a geologist, submitted to the examination of the Professor 

 such fossils and geological illustrations of the Province of Eio Grande do 

 Sul as he supposed would be of interest, and would help to complete the 

 collections which are being made for the United States Government. The 

 importance of these fossils and the sure deductions which science draws 

 from them appear to have startled and delighted the great savant ; and a 

 few days since the following letter was placed in the hands of Mr. Plant. 

 We print it verbatim, as it is of such a nature as to become at once import- 

 ant, and will show the Government of Brazil that if it only follows up the 

 path opened up by science the results as a source of wealth cannot be 

 doubted. 



"' Rio, June 18, 1865. 



"'Dear Sir, — I have not yet returned my thanks for the fine specimens you 

 have presented to me, though ever since I saw them 1 have looked for a moment's 

 leisure to do so. 



" ' However, this gives me an opportunity of expressing a more mature opinion 

 concerning their geological age, which I am glad to have an opportunity of re- 

 cording, especially since the examination I have made of them has satisfied me of 

 the correctness of some views concerning the fossils of the oldest geological forma- 

 tion, in which I had little confidence. That these organic remains all belong to 

 the carboniferous period is unquestionable, and it is the close affinity with the 

 characteristic fossils of Europe which particularly interests, and in a measure sur- 

 prises me. Had the whole collection been made in Pennsylvania, I would not 

 more decidedly have recognized its carboniferous characteristics, down to the rocks 

 underlying and overlying the fossiliferous beds ; and the photographs you have 

 shown me of the localities leave no doubt of the great extent and value of the 

 coal-beds proper of the river Candiota, whilst the coal itself may fairly be compared 

 to the best in the market, judging from the specimens you have shown me, and 

 those I owe to your kindness. 



" ' As to the coal of the Falkland Islands, I can only compare it to the Anthra- 

 cite of Mansfield in Massachusetts, and the adjoining deposits in Ehode Island ; 

 though it does not appear quite so pure as the best Anthracite of the United States ; 

 but this is an impression derived from surface specimens, gathered at random. 



" ' With my best wishes for the further success of your geological explorations, 

 in which I hope you may hereafter also include the drift and erratics, now that 

 you are satisfied of their existence in Brazil, 



" ' I remain yours very truly, 

 " ' N. Plant, Esq.' " ' L. Agassiz. 



