PROVINCE OF MINAS GERAES. 



275 



such rapidity, that, on entering the St. Francisco, they at all times roll across, 

 sensibly affecting the lands of its eastern margin. The St. Rita, joining on 

 the right, and the Claro on the left, are its principal tributaries, both traversing 

 sterile lands possessing cattle. 



It is followed by the Acary, Pardo, Pandeiro, Salgado, Pindahyba, Itaca- 

 ramby, and the Japore, the whole entering by the western margin. The Pan- 

 deiro has fine water, an extensive course, and traverses large woods of excel- 

 lent timber with many cedars, where numerous colonies might be advanta- 

 geously established, for the cultivation of their fertile soils. 



A few leagues below the Japore, the important river Verde enters on the 

 eastern side ; and about the same distance further, the Carinhenha, which is 

 large and navigable for a considerable extent. It rises in the chapadas of Santa 

 Maria, near the limits of Goyaz ; its crystalline waters, having a rapid current, 

 flow for a considerable way without mixing with those of the St. Francisco 

 after entering it. 



We will finish the description of the noble St. Francisco when we treat 

 upon the province of Pernambuco, which is bounded by this river from 

 hence to the ocean. This very extensive river, as well as those mentioned 

 which enlarge it, abound with fish, of which the doirado, sorrubin, mandin, 

 and piranha, are the best. 



Near the right margin of the St. Francisco, and eighteen miles below the 

 confluence of the Bambuhy, is the lake Feia, of a circular form, about three 

 hundred yards in diameter, of dark green water, and inhabited by the sucury 

 and sucuriu snakes, and the alligator. No reptile or even bird approaches to 

 drink its waters. About two miles to the north, there is another called Lake 

 Verde, narrow, six miles long, and the haunt of the same horrible creatures. 

 Both lakes are discharged into the St. Francisco. The sucuriu and sucury 

 differ only in colour ; the first is of a blackish hue, and the other grey : they 

 have two large claws, or talons, near the extremity of the tail, with which they 

 secure themselves to roots or the points of stones under the water, when they 

 wish to seize any animal. The teeth are sharp pointed, and inclined towards 

 the gorge, so that the prisoner cannot escape, although the monster wished to 

 withdraw its hold. Sucurys have been killed twenty yards long. These 

 snakes are supposed to be a species of the sucuriuba of other provinces. 



Villa Real do Sahara, (Royal Town of Sahara) is the head of the comarca, 

 and ordinary residence of its ouvidor, who also acts in other situations. It 



N N 2 



