1883.] The Naturalist Brazilian Expedition. 713 
twenty, thirty or more eggs are found together, but it appears 
that these are not all laid by one bird ; several females lay their 
eggs together and take turns in sitting on them.’ The nest may 
be left uncovered during the heat of the day, but in this region, 
I believe, it is never entirely deserted. 
The capées, or patches of forest, of which I have spoken, are 
quite different in their character from the main forest farther 
north; many of the trees are of distinct species ; there are few 
vines or bushes, and one can ride freely beneath the branches. 
The tree trunks and boughs stream with long pendant lichens or 
“Spanish moss ;” there are many epiphytes, but orchids are not 
common, and I noticed only two species. The soil of these capoes 
is good, and they are the only lands used for plantations, the 
prairies being considered unfit for agriculture. I believe, how- 
ever, that the banhados, if drained, would be excellent ; their 
soil, a rich black loam, could hardly fail to give abundant 
returns. . 
The campo lands are excellent for pasturage, and many thou- 
sand head of cattle are kept on them ; these are rather small but 
hardy, and well suited to the half-wild life which they lead. 
Horses are raised only in limited numbers, as the herdsmen re- 
quire them ; like the cattle they are small, and may be consid- 
ered as a degraded race. The best of them are excellent riding 
beasts for short journeys, but they are deficient in endurance. I 
believe that better breeds, both of horses and cattle, might be in- 
troduced here with great advantage. Sheep, which are occasion- 
ally seen, might do well, but the climate is probably too warm for 
Successful wool-raising. ci 
The German element is but slightly represented near Sao Jer- 
onymo. The people are generally of Portuguese descent, the 
Poorer classes with more or less intermixture of Indian or Afri- 
can blood; there are few slaves, and not many free negroes. The 
Status of the population is much like that of similar districts 
throughout Brazil; there are a few educated and intelligent fami- 
lies, but the mass of the people are very ignorant, though not 
Wanting in natural intelligence. All the men are, of course, 
€xcellent horsemen. Costumes vary with the class. The better 
- families keep much the European style, the men only assuming 
* This habit is recorded of the African ostrich, and I believe that it is common to 
a number of South American birds. 
