490 



A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 



sudden precipices, and we picked our steps with care be- 

 tween rocks and over fallen logs and rivulets. It was bright 

 starlight as we came out of the woods upon the high road. 

 The village lay below, its lights twinkling cheerily, and the 

 peaks and towers behind it drawn with strange distinctness 

 against the night sky. 



Organ Mountains. 



June 12th. — Barreira. This morning at seven o'clock 

 we were on our way down the serra. Mr. Agassiz deplores 

 the necessity which obliges him to leave this region after so 

 short an examination of its striking features. A naturalist 

 might pass months here, and find every day rich in results. 

 As we left the hotel the sun was just gilding the highest 

 summits, while white clouds rose softly from the valleys, 

 and, floating upward, broke into fleecy fragments against 

 the mountain-sides. Having the day before us, we de- 



