PROVINCE OF MATTO GROSSO. 



227 



comarca that are well known, abundance of all kinds of game are met with. 

 Amongst other notable trees that are seen in the large woods here adjacent to 

 those rivers, is a species of palm, called ubussu, the flower of which supplies an 

 elastic fibrous peel, so interwoven, that it appears hke the production of the 

 loom, and serves as a cap to the Indian. The curagiru affords a fine scarlet 

 dye. The cedar is common and very thick, but, like a great many other trees 

 of excellent timber, of no use, from the almost total want of population capable 

 of appreciating their value. 



In this comarca is situated the fort of Principe da Beira, erected in the year 

 1776, upon the right margin of the Guapore, one league below the mouth of 

 the Tunama, in 12° 20' south latitude, and one mile above the situation where 

 the first governor of the province established the fort of Concei^ao. The land 

 upon which it stands is never inundated by the river, which rises here at the 

 period of the floods near thirty feet, and covers with lakes a great portion of 

 the frontier lands, thus subjecting the garrison to fevers. Three hundred and 

 fifty miles is computed from this fort to the capital ; and by the river, upwards 

 of six hundred, so considerable are its windings. 



Near this fort there is a populous aldeia of Christian Indians ; and at a short 

 distance higher up another, called Leonil, similarly inhabited. The whole 

 cultivate a diversity of the necessaries of life. They also hunt and fish. 



Five miles below the confluence of the Guapore with the Mamore, upon the 

 margin of the river Madeira, near the fall of Ribeiram, is the new parish of St. 

 Joze. The inhabitants are composed of various nations, with some whites, and 

 are abundantly supplied with fish, game, and the necessaries of life peculiar to 

 the country. 



District of Arinos. 



This comarca, which receives its name from the river that waters it and 

 divides it into two unequal portions, is confined on the north by Tapajonia, 

 on the west by Juruenna, on the south by Cuiaba, and on the east by Tappi- 

 raquia. Its length is equal to that of the preceding district, and its width, 

 from east to west, is nearly three hundred miles. A portion of the most southern 

 part of it is commonly called Varges, or Vargeria, where, many years ago, a 

 colony of adventurers settled, but soon afterwards abandoned it, in consequence 

 of the annoyance they experienced from the Indians, and the want of success 

 attending their partial operations in mining. 



It is a district very little known, although ascertained to be auriferous. 



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