362 



PROVINCE OF PERNAMBUCO. 



and barren, but the principal part is covered with beautiful woods, nourished 

 by strong and fertile soils. In some places it has two or three leagues of 

 luxuriant herbage on its summit. 



The mountain Araripe, which is a portion of it, commands a view of the 

 river St. Francisco, at a distance of more than thirty leagues. In this moun- 

 tain the rivers Jaguariba and Piranhas have their origin, and run to the north. 

 It also gives birth to the rivers Parahiba and Capibaribe, which flow eastward, 

 and likewise to the Moxoto and the Pajehu, which direct their course to the 

 south. 



About seven leagues distant from the fall of Paulo AfFonso, in the parish of 

 Tarcaratu, is the mountain of Agua-Branca, with its numerous branches, in great 

 part covered with wild and luxuriant woods. Here is a chapel of Our Lady of 

 Concei^ao, and many families of different shades of complexion, equally if not 

 more barbarous than the ancient possessors of the country. 



In the vicinity of the river Pajehu, about fifteen leagues from that which 

 absorbs it, is the serra Negra, which is about a league long, and proportionably 

 wide, and covered with thick woods, that are often violently agitated by strong 

 winds. Near it is the site of Jacare, where the Choco Indians lived for some 

 time; but since they have been subjugated, like their neighbours, there is little 

 mention made of them. 



At a short distance from the source of the river Una, is the serra Garanhuns. 

 It is covered with woods, where they are introducing plantations of cotton, 

 Indian corn, mandioca, vegetables, and fruits. From this mountain descend 

 many clear streams of water, which vanish on entering the sandy plains that 

 encompass it below. Among other useful plants may be remarked the termi- 

 nalia^ or styrax of Linnaeus, which produces the gum-resinous drug called 

 benzoin. 



The serra of Russas, two leagues long, and of small width, is situated about 

 sixteen leagues distant from the Recife, in the road which leads towards the 

 certam of the river St. Francisco. 



The serra Sellada is four leagues to the south-west of Cape St. Augustine, and 

 little more than two from the sea ; and, although of trifling height, is the best 

 land-mark for sailors in these latitudes. 



Four leagues to the north-west of Caninde, an insignificant and ill-situated 

 village, on the left bank of the St. Francisco, is the serra of Olho d' Agua, with 

 a circuit of two leagues, and of considerable height. From its summit is dis- 

 covered a vast chain of inferior mountains on all sides, and at a distance of 



