286 



TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



new objects and new attractions. We proceeded 

 by the side of a transparent stream through a cool 

 side valley enclosed by steep rocks, till we came 

 to an opening between them, and reached an ele- 

 vated terrace covered with vellosia, which afforded 

 us a last view of the lonely monastery. From this 

 place the road became steeper as v^e descended, so 

 that we did not think it prudent to remain on our 

 mules. The taller trees and shrubs gradually ceased, 

 and v^e had to make our way with much difficulty 

 through low bushes. In the white quartz-slate, 

 large spots of which were often bare, we observed 

 narrow veins and fragments of a compact shining 

 quartz, in which kyanite and rhaeticite occur, and 

 here and there casual pieces of common shorl. * 



On several parts of the mountain we heard the 

 noise of subterraneous waters, which penetrate be- 

 tween the crevices and clefts of the rock, and at last 

 issue out below, in cool streams. From the top of 

 the mountain, we saw the rocky summit of the 

 Itacolumi in the S. E. ; and in the E. and N. E., 

 several low mountain chains, through which the Rio 

 Percicaba and the Rio de S. Barbara flow to join 

 the Rio Doce. On the eastern side, the declivity 

 of the Serra do Cara9a is so steep, and the narrow 

 path covered with so many loose fragments of 

 rock, that the descent into the valley is extremely 

 dangerous. We at length happily reached Inficio- 



* See Note 3. page 293. 



