PROVINCE OF PERNAMBUCO. 



363 



about six leagues to the west-north-west is seen a column of vapour rising from 

 the cataract of Paulo Affonso, similar to the smoke of a conflagration. Formerly 

 this mountain abounded with numerous tigers, in consequence of the multitude 

 of caverns within the jetting rocks and frowning crags that compose it. Even 

 at present they are the retreats of a formidable species of bat, which proves 

 very destructive to cattle. 



The serra of Priaca is about eight leagues to the north-west of the town of 

 Penedo. That of Pao d' Assucar is within sight of the former, and near the 

 river St. Francisco. On the southern skirts of the serra of Pao d' Assucar 

 there is a lake, where bones of an enormous size have been found ; and on its 

 northern side there is a most terrific cavern. 



The serra of Poco, situated fifteen leagues distant from the last, towards the 

 interior of the province, is covered with woods where trees of the finest timber 

 are produced, some of whose trunks exude precious resins, and oily or balsamic 

 liquors, while the hollow trunks of others serve for the hives of various kinds of 

 bees. 



. Comenaty is one of the largest mountains in the interior. It abounds with ex- 

 tensive woods in many parts, where the Indians and other inhabitants of the 

 parish of Aguas Bellas have introduced large plantations of cotton and man- 

 dioca. 



The serra of Barrigais about four leagues distant from the town of Anadia, 

 and twenty from the sea, and is subject to frequent thunder-storms. The occa- 

 sional and loud noises from its cavities terrify the people of the circumjacent 

 country, and indicate that it has minerals. On its extreme skirts was the fatal 

 band of Africans, called the Quilomho dos Palmares, commenced by three 

 hundred and forty negroes of Guinea, on the occasion of the Dutch disembark- 

 ing at Pernambuco. They were joined by many others from the neighbouring- 

 provinces, and founded the above village, which took the name of Palmares 

 from the number of palm trees which the negroes had planted around it. The 

 village, which was more than a league in extent, was encompassed by a square, 

 consisting of two orders or rows of enclosures of paUsadoes, formed of large 

 high trunks of the strongest and most durable wood the country afforded. At 

 equal distances were three strong doors, each having its platform above, and 

 defended by two hundred men in times of assault; the whole flanked by 

 various bulwarks of the same fabric as the walls. Its population amounted to 

 twenty thousand, one-half of whom w^ere capable of taking up arms. They 

 had established an elective and monarchical form of government. The chief 



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