PROVINCE OF GOYAZ. 



235 



skins furnish a branch of commerce. The ounce, anta, the wild hog, wolf, 

 monkey, hare, tamandua, cotia, quati, paca, with many other species of qua- 

 drupeds, common in the adjacent provinces, are here well known and much 

 pursued by the hunter. Some are esteemed for the flesh, some for the skin, 

 and others for both. Partridges and the emu ostrich are met with upon the 

 plains. The mutun bird inhabits the wood, and by its song invites the fatal 

 attacks of the hunter. The tucano, the torquaze pigeon, the aracuan, the 

 araponga, and the jacu, are numerous. A great part of those creatures are 

 devoured in a raw state by the Indians, without salt or any kind of seasoning. 



Phytology. — There are a variety of medicinal plants, divers sorts of palm 

 trees ; the XdiV^ejatuha affords gum copal. The Brazil wood, and similar valu- 

 able timber, is here of no utility, in consequence of the great distance of any 

 maritime town. The tobacco plant is cultivated with great advantage where 

 the soil is substantial. From the fruit of the mamona tree is extracted oil for 

 lights. The cotton tree prospers in many parts, and its wool constitutes a 

 branch of commerce, which is beginning to be advantageous to the population. 

 The sugar cane is cultivated in many districts, and employs various engenhos ; 

 the greater part of its juice is converted into spirit, and some sugar, called rapa- 

 duras. The flour of mandioca, Indian corn, and legumes, are the most abun- 

 dant productions of agriculture. The fruit of the araca, the pine-apple, the 

 mangaha, the goyaba, the banana, jahuticaha, the ambuo, are common, and of 

 various qualities. Oranges and water-melons are excellent. Quinces are small 

 and insipid ; but a large quantity of doce, or preserves, is here made of them. 

 The vine trees grow to a remarkable size in some districts, and produce fruit 

 abundantly twice a year. Wine is made of the grapes in the dry season, which 

 is yet very indifferent ; such as are produced in the winter season serve for 

 vinegar, and afford a good substitute for that of Europe. 



The cochineal plant is very common, but, hitherto, not appropriated to the 

 production of that insect. Many parts are well adapted to the produce of 

 indigo, the culture of which receives here no attention. The productions of 

 those two vegetables, from their great value, are the only ones which the 

 agriculturist of these districts could convey to the maritime ports with any 

 considerable profit and security. The trees of incense, senna, and manna, are 

 not unknown. Campeche and a species of rhubarb are also met with. 



Gold and cattle are the only objects of exportation, which introduce into 

 the country what little may be found of luxury, and the necessaries of life 

 required from without. If a little cotton wool, or coarse cotton cloth, with 



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