RESIDENCE AT RIO DE JANEIRO. 



35 



of Europe ; and this plant is affirmed by the Indians to be a good 

 remedy for asthma. While he was adding to the collection in his de- 

 partment, I obtained some birds, which the Indians offered for sale, 

 in small wooden cages ; among others the violet and orange tangar-a, 

 called gatturama in this part of Brazil. 



After a very interesting visit to St. Lonrenzo, we left it to return, 

 and landed again near the country-house of Mr. Chamberlain. It is 

 built in a cove, surrounded by delightful groves. They consist of plan- 

 tations of orange and cocoa trees : lofty mangos, that exceed our tallest 

 oaks in height, overshade a cool fountain, in a little dell, and render this 

 spot a charming retreat. On the shore arc seen a great variety of wild 

 fruits ; pulse of many kinds ; and nuts, among w hich the large cucum- 

 ber-like fruit of the silk cotton tree, whose stem is entirely covered 

 with thorns, is very common. Mr. Sellow has ascertained that the 

 splendid beetle, curcidio imperialis, one of the most beautiful insects 

 of Brazil, lives upon this tree ; and he intends to give the mo rid a 

 particular account of its remarkable transformation. The neighbouring 

 mountains have, near the coast, extremely high and steep precipices, 

 overgrown with large cactus and the agave foctida, and dark-green 

 copses at their base. On our way back to Rio we examined the 

 storehouses for the whale-fishery. The whales frequent the Brazilian 

 coasts in great numbers ; but they are at present too eagerly pursued : 

 formerly they came into the inner bay of Rio de Janeiro. 



However agreeable a more protracted stay in the capital might have 

 proved, it was not consistent with my plan to remain there long, as 

 the riches of nature are only to be found in fields and forests. Through 

 the aid of government, whose wishes were carried into effect in the 

 most obliging manner by the Count da Barca, I was enabled to make 

 the preparations for my departure without any loss of time. My pass- 

 ports and letters of recommendation to the several captains-general 

 were more favourable than had probably been e^ er given to any pre- 



