PROVINCE OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL. 123 



is level ground, with a small elevation, or albardao, near the middle ; it is 

 almost in a direct line on the eastern side, forming various points and bays on 

 the opposite one. Among the first is the Ponta do Mandanha, commencing at 

 the south, where have been found the vestiges of an Indian village and cemetery. 

 Next to this the Ponta Raza ; between them the lake das Capibaras discharges 

 itself. In the middle of the bay called Barrancas, which is the best shelter in 

 this lake for all vessels, some small rivers are emptied, one of which is 

 navigated by canoes and other boats. The Ponta of Bujaru is six leagues more 

 to the north. Into the middle of a bay of the same name, runs a fine river, 

 which forms a little island at the bar. The point of Christovam Pereira is six 

 leagues further. In the bay, which is to the southward of it, there are two con- 

 siderable mountains of shells, which prove how much the Indians were attachetl 

 to shell-fish. The point and bay of Cacira are more to the north, and the last 

 that are remarkable. The ground is generally of a very sandy soil, but in some 

 parts clay is found below the sand, which shows that the peninsula is not 

 formed by the sand of the sea, but that the ancient soil is covered with it. 

 Between the lakes Mirim and Mangueira, for many leagues, the small river 

 Chuy takes its course, and enters the ocean in front of the southern extremity 

 of the first. 



Capes, Ports, and Islands. — St. Mary is the only cape, Montevideo, 

 St. Luzia, and Maldonado are the best ports. The islands of Castilhos, near 

 the point of the same name, and Maldonado, in the entrance of the bay of the 

 same name, are both small. The isle of Lobos, (Wolves,) two miles in cir- 

 cumference, has good water, is almost all rocks and stones, and lies four leagues 

 to the south-east of the preceding one. There are two others to the south- 

 west of Cape St. Mary. The isle das Flores, half a league long, and of little 

 width, is flat, and six miles to the east of Monte Video. The isle of Martini 

 Garcia is to the west-north-west of the bay of Colonia do Sacramento, in front 

 of the mouth of the river St. Francisco. The isle of St. Gabriel, four hundred 

 and fifty fathoms long, its width proportionable, is in front of Colonia ; as well 

 as the isle of Antonio Lopes, and the English Island, both small. That of 

 Fornos, two hundred and forty fathoms long, approximates nearer to the beach. 

 The island of Marinheiros, three to four leagues in circuit, flat and covered with 

 trees and brushwood, is near the southern extremity of the lake of Patos, and 

 a little to the north of the town of St. Pedro, whose inhabitants have recourse 

 to it for water and firewood. 



R 2 



