90 



TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



the more, as we even saw some ecclesiastics of this 

 colour. With respect to the general physiognomi- 

 cal character of the common people of Madeira, 

 they are lean, muscular, of brown complexion, 

 black disordered hair, bushy eyebrows, and dark 

 eyes. In their coarse sailor's dress, with a pointed 

 red cap, they excite more fear than confidence. 

 The complexion, which very frequently has a tinge 

 of dark brown, calls to mind the formerly more 

 frequent mixture of whites and negroes, who were 

 imported here in great numbers from Guinea. As 

 in the countries of southern Europe, the ass is the 

 principal domestic animal on which burdens are 

 transported from one place to another ; waggons, 

 made in the shape of sledges, and drawn by many 

 oxen, are very rarely seen in this mountainous 

 country, and a chaise still more so. 



The naturalists preferred an acquaintance with 

 the interior of the island to the pleasures of the en- 

 tainment. By daybreak we were already on our 

 way to the eminence which rises amphitheatrically 

 from the harbour, and is intersected by several val- 

 leys, into which streams of the purest water descend. 

 Numerous small country houses lie scattered be- 

 tween gardens and vineyards, and the wanderer 

 meets a pleasing picture of the persevering industry 

 of the inhabitants, who have cultivated even steep 

 hills, planted them with vines, and watered them 

 by extensive canals. Walking by the side of such 

 an aqueduct, which was built with bricks, and di- 



