2S2 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



century earlier; at which time it probably enjoyed the advantage of a 

 port. As the neck of land afterwards widens, it becomes more solid, 

 flat, and verdant, rich in herbage, and supporting large herds of cattle. 

 Lakes are scattered in every direction ; and in the wet season, the whole 

 plain is covered with water, so that the cattle perish for want of sus- 

 tenance, of which the numerous skeletons lying around are a melancholy 

 evidence. On digging through the sandy soil, excellent clay is found in 

 patches, which seems to indicate that the spot was once the bed of a 

 Lake, which has been partially filled up by sand blown into it from 

 the coast. On the sea shore still exists a long line of pools which will 

 probably share the same fate. 



The people of this district have few accommodations, yet what they 

 have they willingly communicate to a stranger. Their beef is good, 

 and were it less to be commended, would seldom prove unwelcome after 

 a hard day's ride. To each farm house, however small, an extensive 

 portion of land is attached ; but the great size of their farms, and the 

 profusion of nature do little to mitigate the prevailing poverty, if 

 he indeed can be called poor who has plenty to eat and no fear of 

 future want. 



Mustardos, one of the chief places in this route, is small, yet plea- 

 santly situated. Near it an Englishman made a large purchase of land, 

 hoping to sell it in smaller portions to his countrymen ; but the specu- 

 lation failed like most of the kind. About Palmeres the country 

 becomes agreeably diversified. The road, after crossing the broad and 

 deep river Capivary, leads round the head of the lake to Porto Alegro ; 

 that to Laguna approaches the coast, through a swampy region, where 

 there is nothing to amuse, and much to annoy, until we reach the large 

 and often dangerous river, Tramendahy, where a ferry is established, 

 kept like all the rest in this route, in a most wretched state. The name 

 of the river, which according to the Tupi pronunciation, ought to be 

 written Tamandua, is derived from the Armadillo, probably in allusion 

 to its hard covering ; of these animals there are many, not in this part 

 alone, but through the whole Peninsula. 



