234 



PROVINCE OF GOYAZ. 



more lucrative at this period. Many were at length induced to devote a portion 

 of their time to the cultivation of the necessaries of life, that the gold which 

 they collected might not be consumed in payment for them. 



This province, in the centre of Brazil, and ranking amongst the largest in 

 the state, is confined on the north by the provinces of Para and Maranham ; 

 on the west by Cuiaba, from which it is separated by the river Araguaya ; on 

 the south by Camapuania and the province of St. Paulo ; and on the east by 

 the provinces of Minas Geraes, and Pernambuco, which are divided from it by 

 a Cordillera, stretching north and south, stony and barren, and which alone 

 affords passage at the largest openings, denominated boqueiroes ; each portion 

 taking its particular name, and the northern being the most elevated. The length 

 of this province is about seven hundred miles, computing from the confluence 

 of ihe Araguaya with the Tucantines to that of the Pardo with the Parannan, 

 and its width proportionable. It lies between 6° and 18° of south latitude ; the 

 rains only prevail during the thunder peculiar to these climates, which com- 

 mences in October and terminates in April. 



The aspect of this province is almost universally uneven, although in few 

 parts mountainous, having many portions called catingas, not favourable to 

 cultivation. 



The soil is only fertile where there are woods, with which it does not abound, 

 if we except the districts of the capital, Meia Ponte, Pilar, and St. Luzia, by 

 the margins of the Corumba. Admiration is excited by the wood called 

 Matto Grosso, (Large Wood,) upwards of thirty miles in width, upon the road 

 of Meia Ponte to the capital, about the centre of that interval, and its length 

 extending from the river Almas to the centre of Cayaponia. 



Mineralogy. — Gold, diamonds, crystals, granite, calcareous stone, minerals 

 of iron, mineral salt, a diversity of argils, &c. The largest fifth on gold here 

 was of one hundred and sixty-nine thousand and eighty oitavas, in 1753, and 

 the smallest of eleven thousand eight hundred and ninety-three, in 1807. This 

 diminution arises from not working into the mountains, which, no doubt, 

 abound with this metal. 



Zoology. — This province abounds in cattle. Goats are few in number, 

 and almost of no utility. Sheep are somewhat more numerous ; little advantage 

 is, however, derived from their wool, which might be easily rendered subser- 

 vient to some branches of industry. Very few more hogs are bred than what 

 are for the consumption of the country. Horses are also bred ; those of 

 Parannan are esteemed the best. Deer are every where numerous, and their 



