PROVINCE OF RIO DE JANEIRO. 



39 



is in the form of a sugar-loaf, and so denominated. The fort of St. Cruz is si- 

 tuated at the base of a high rugged mountain, called Pico, in consequence of its 

 having a pointed termination. From hence signals are made to the city, an- 

 nouncing all vessels as they appear upon the horizon. The two principal bays 

 that branch from it are, Bota-fogo, behind the batteries of St. Jose and St. Theo- 

 dozio, and the larger one of Jurufuba, to the north of Fort St. Cruz. Upon the 

 beach of the latter is situated the parish of St. Joam de Carahi. The first disco- 

 very of this bay and thf origin of its improper name have been already alluded to ; 

 its more appropriate and primitive name was Nitherohy. Lery, who was there 

 with Villegagnon, says, that the Indians then called it Ganahara ; but the first 

 is the most suitable, " mYAero" signifying concealed, or hidden, and " hy" water, 

 as it is only on arriving in front of the inlet that the bay is discovered, being pre- 

 viously concealed by mountains. This bay is the receptable of a vast number 

 of rivers, principally inconsiderable ; but, as they are the medium of an easy 

 conveyance to the capital of the productions in their vicinity, it may not be 

 unimportant to describe those of the most consequence. Two leagues and a 

 half, in a direct line, or four by the road towards Campinha, is the mouth of 

 the river Iraja, which issues from one of the small lakes, and affords navigation 

 with the tide to its port of the same name. A quarter of a league to the north 

 of the preceding, theMiriti enters the bay, increased by the junction of the Inha- 

 muahi, (which issues from the Serra Bangu,) and the Pavuna, about two leagues 

 and a half distant from its mouth. It traverses a country in a great measure 

 marshy, and is only navigable for the space of three miles, in a direct line to the 

 port which takes its name, where cases of sugar, and the produce of St. Joam and 

 Our Lady of Apezentacao, are put on board the bay boats. About a league to 

 the north of it is the Sarapuhi, which originates in the Serra Cachoeira. Its 

 banks are serpentine, and it is only navigable for about a league. The dwellers 

 in the parishes of St. Antonio and Jacutinga export their productions by it. 

 The Iguassu, a mile further to the north-east, has its source in the Serra 

 Tingua ; is navigable for four leagues ; brings with it to the bay the waters of 

 the Iguare, which issues from one of the lakes, and affords navigation for a 

 mile to the port bearing its name. Also the Maraby, flowing from the Serra 

 Boa- Vista, and navigable to the port of Couto, three leagues above its mouth. 

 It also receives the Dos Ramos, navigable for a space of eight miles, to the 

 skirts of the Serra Mantiqueira, in which it originates. The river Inhumirim 

 enters the bay about half a league further, and is navigable for three leagues : 

 one of its confluents, the Jaguamirim, flows from the morasses, and affords 



