688 Geographical and Geological Exploration in Brazil. (August, — 
But this want of encouragement is not necessarily due to a 
lack of appreciation of or interest in such work on the part of the 
prominent statesmen of the country, but rather to the financial 
condition of the empire, which is somewhat embarrassed by 
various causes, prominent among which is the gradual disappear- 
ance of slaves and consequently of the labor element. 
Recently the province of Sao Paulo has undertaken certain 
explorations within and along its own borders, which, it is to be 
hoped, will add much to our geological knowledge of that part 
of Brazil. 
The survey that was inaugurated in that province in May of 
the present year was projected by the distinguished and able 
senator from Pernambuco, J. A. Correia de Oliveira, popularly ` 
known as Jodo Alfredo, who was president of the province of 
Sao Paulo until about the gst of May. : 
His original object was a study of the navigability of the Rio 
_ Paranapanema, a large stream forming the boundary between 
~ the province of Parana and that of Sao Paulo, and the making of 
a physical and itinerary map of the province. 
: The president asked Mr. Derby’s coöperation in this work. 
A Mr. Derby, however, told the president that he could only under- 
í take such work in connection with a geological survey. The 
plan was therefore modified accordingly. 
-Tt can best be given in the words of the president of the prov- 
~ ince in his report to the provincial assembly. As this report 
shows how far-reaching the influence of our own geological sur- 
= veys has been, as well as the objects of this survey, I quote it at 
~ some length. The president says: 
“The plan proposed by Mr. Derby, and which I have the apes” 
to commend to your attention, is essentially the same as tha 
adopted by the late Professor Hartt for the work of the Imperi 
Geolk at after 
ma F 
are the most appropriate for regions in which large 
led areas aba bs explored. He contemplates 
making maps upon a ‘scale of one centimeter to a kilometer, 
hich will show at once the geography, topography, roads, S¢ %4 
ogy and agriculture, and on which will be located cities, factori™ 
surface characters, railways, wagon roads, streams, mines, etc., pe 
the geology, the distribution of land adapted to agriculture and 
ttle raising, and that which is unproductive. : 
