304 PROVINCE OF PORTO SEGURO. 



Between the mouth of the Doce and the St. Mattheus is the lake Tapada, of 

 considerable length from east to west but very narrow. 



The lake of Medo, (Fear,) very small, is in the proximity of the origin of 

 St. Antonio and communicates with the Belmonte. 



The lake Braco, long and narrow, prolongs itself with the coast, between 

 the Belmonte and the Mugiquissaba, which is small, and enters the ocean 

 about eighteen miles south of the first. 



The Belmonte, so called after the town of the same name was founded near 

 its mouth, is formed in Serro do Frio, one of the comarcas of Minas Geraes, 

 by the waters of the .Tiquitinhonha and Arassuahy. When it traverses the 

 Cordillera of Aimores it is contracted between two mountains of unequal 

 elevation ; the northern one, called St. Bruno, is the highest, and on a sudden 

 descends from a height of more than forty yards into a whirlpool, whose 

 evaporation exhibits an eternal cloud, and the loud murmuring of its falling 

 waters is heard sometimes twelve and fifteen miles off. Continuing for the 

 space of fifteen miles to the east between rugged margins to a cacJioeirinha, (a 

 little fall,) it flows through a flat and woody country to the sea, describing 

 various windings, with a current rapid and wide but of little depth. Its fish 

 called tubarde is of an enormous size, and the cacoe is the smallest of its finny 

 inhabitants. It has many flat islands within its margins, and does not receive 

 any considerable stream after it descends the fall. 



The Piauhy, which unites the Belmonte below this fall, is the most abundant 

 amongst those which it receives, after commencing to serve as a limit to this 

 province. 



Cabralia Bay, (where the armada of Cabral anchored,) fifteen miles to the 

 north of Porto Seguro, and four to the south of St. Cruz, is the only port of 

 the province where large vessels can enter. 



The bay of Concha, near the Mugiquissaba, is a roadstead which might be 

 rendered capable of receiving vessels of large burden. 



The towns of this province are — 

 Porto Seguro Trancozo Alcobaca Villavi^oza St. Mattheus 

 Villaverde Prado Caravellas Portalegre Belmonte. 



Porto Seguro, a considerable town, and capital of the province, is situated 

 at the mouth of the river Buranhen, upon an elevation on the northern side, 

 with an agreeable aspect, enjoying salubrious air, and provided with good 

 water. It has a churdi of Nossa Senhora da Penna, a house of misericordia, 

 and an ex-Jesuitical hospicio, at present the residence of the ouvidors. The 



