LANDS. 



KM 



Sertam track, and is similar to that between 

 Recife and Goiana, excepting that the plains of 

 the part of the country I had just now traversed, 

 are more extensive, and the roads over these are 

 dangerous, as they are only marked by the short 

 and ill-grown grass being worn away upon the 

 path ; but as the cattle extend more upon a 

 plain, and cannot be kept so close, from the 

 greater extent of ground over which they pass, 

 each part receives fewer footsteps, and the grass 

 not unfrequently resists their passing, and vege- 

 tation still continues ; consequently, in an im- 

 perfect light, an experienced guide is necessary, 

 as on these plains no huts are ever to be met 

 with, being, for the most part, destitute of water. 

 These, the Brazilians call taboleiros, distinguish- 

 ing them by this name from campinas; upon the 

 latter, the soil is closer, and they afford good 

 grass. Beyond Mamanguape, the road is some- 

 times a mere path, with breadth sufficient only 

 for two loaded horses to pass, and, in some 

 places, it has not even the necessary width for 

 this purpose. The valley of Papari I have 

 already mentioned, as being much superior to 

 the rest of the country. The trees in Brazil are 

 mostly evergreens, and the drought must be 

 great indeed to make them lose their leaves ; 

 but the green of the leaves of a parched plant, 

 though still a green, is very different from the 

 bright joyful colour of one that is in full health. 



