TO CAPE FRIO. 



51 



but that, if he had more hands, he could make from 90 to 100,000 

 pounds. In former times, the Cayenne sugar-cane was cultivated 

 here ; but that of Otaheite having become known and being found 

 much more productive, it is almost universally substituted instead of 

 the Cayenne cane. 



Our host gave us a spacious apartment where we could con- 

 veniently keep up several fires and dress our food. He, as well as 

 the other inhabitants of the fazenda, frequently visited us, and could 

 not adequately express their astonishment at our occupation in pre- 

 paring subjects of natural history. As heavy rains set in, we re- 

 mained here a long time ; and when the weather cleared up we found 

 the most favourable opportunity for productive hunting excursions in 

 the high wooded mountains that surround the valley, which is full of 

 sugar plantations. 



A young Portuguese named Francisco, who lived at this fazenda, 

 entered our service as a hunter, and shewed extraordinary talents for 

 this employment. He was of a slender figure, inured to the severest 

 fatigue, a very good marksman, and at the same time of an excellent 

 disposition. As he was intimately acquainted with the country and 

 its animal productions, he furnished us with a number of interesting 

 subjects, among which I ought to mention the marikina, or simia 

 rosaUa, which we had not yet obtained. The araponga, which has 

 been already noticed, was very numerous all over these mountains. 

 Francisco was the first who shot this fine bird for our collection. 

 Good Brazilian hunters possess a wonderful talent for exploring the 

 forests : their bodies inured to fatigue, and the custom of always 

 going barefoot, give them a great superiority in this employment. 

 Their dress consists of a light shirt and cotton drawers. They often 

 have a cloth jacket hanging over their shoulders, which they put on 

 when it rains, or in the cool nights. The head is covered with a felt 

 or straw hat. A leather belt passing over the shoulder holds he 



