50 RIO JANEIRO. 



gical structure of the country. It is all granitic, and occurs in vast 

 blocks. Dr. Pickering and Mr. Brackenridge, who visited the Organ 

 Mountains, reported that the country was of the same general cha- 

 racter, but on a much grander scale. 



The garden at the water side is delightfully situated. From this 

 point the bay offers amusement at all hours. I should think the people 

 of Rio might be classed among the indolent, and that they are not 

 fond of walking ; for the garden appears to be but little frequented. 



The museum is open twice a week : it is quite creditable to the 

 city, and well worth seeing. It appears to attract more attention from 

 the inhabitants of Rio than I should have been led to expect. It is 

 extremely rich in its native collections, and is well taken care of. 



The theatres, of which there are three, are seldom open on week 

 days, but always on Sunday. 



The sail up the bay is beautiful. The surrounding picturesque 

 peaks, varying their outline with every change of position, give it 

 great variety, and the objects are so interesting that one is never tired. 

 The many islets that stud this bay add greatly to its beauty, and excite 

 interest, covered as they are with tribes of tropical plants, all new to 

 the eye. Among these are seen tufts of Bromelias and Cactus, while 

 Orchideae plants were abundant on the rocks and trees. 



This bay is usually covered with small boats, passing to and fro, 

 felucca rigged, without decks, and generally about twelve tons burden. 

 These boats are rowed by blacks, who are seen toiling at their task. 

 The oars are large, the men row in a standing posture, and thus add 

 the weight of their bodies to their strength. At times, the bay seems 

 alive with the number of these vessels, and of small canoes, each 

 made of a single trunk, which are used in fishing. Many of these 

 vessels are also engaged in the coasting trade. Foreigners are usually 

 employed to take charge of the latter, which sail under the Brazilian 

 flag. Steamers are beginning to,be used. One plies between Rio and 

 Santos, and during our stay, another left the harbour for Montevideo. 

 The greater part of the vessels in the bay are under foreign flags, and 

 I was much surprised to observe how few comparatively are English, 

 and how many are from the north of Europe. 



The harbour of Rio may be considered as not extending farther 

 than Enxados Island, above which few vessels lie. The front of the 

 city is not well adapted for wharves, and none consequently exist. 

 There are some stairs ; but they are not well protected from the sea, 

 which at times renders landing almost impossible. 



The environs of the city were visited by many of our naturalists 

 and officers, and although this ground has been so often gone over by 



