RIO JANEIRO. 57 
verifying during our stay. The likenesses made of them by Mr. 
Agate are very characteristic. 
The negroes of Brazil who have been brought from North and 
South Africa, are divided into two distinct and very dissimilar 
classes. The natives of that portion of the continent known under 
the general name of Upper Guinea, including the countries in the 
interior as far as Timbuctoo and Bornou, being the whole of that 
region lately explored by the English expeditions. The slaves from 
this quarter, though of various nations and languages, have yet a 
general likeness, which stamps them as of one race. In Brazil they 
are known under the name of Minas. 
The Minas slaves are said to be distinguished from others by their 
bodily and mental qualities. They are generally above the middle 
height, and are well formed. The forehead is high, and the cheek 
bones prominent; the nose sometimes straight and sometimes de- 
pressed; the lips not very thick; teeth small and perpendicularly 
set; the hair is woolly, and the colour an umber or reddish brown, 
approaching to black. 
The look and bearing of the Mina blacks are expressive of intel- 
ligence and dignity, and they betray little of the levity usually 
ascribed to the negro race. 
In Brazil they occupy the highest position that slaves are allowed 
to attain, being employed as confidential servants, artisans, and small 
traders. They look down and refuse to have any connexion with, 
or participation in, the employment of the other negroes. Many 
of them write and read the Arabic, and all can repeat some sentences 
of it. The greatest number of slaves who purchase their freedom 
belong to this race. 
There is one singularity which seems to be common to the inhabi- 
vnr.. t. 15 
