NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



Quitting at this spot the most Southerly Provinces of Brazil, a 

 few general notices relative to them, collected at different times, can 

 hardly find a more suitable place. 



The three Provinces of Parana, Uruguay, and Rio Grande, may 

 properly be called the Lowlands of Southern Brazil. The declivity of 

 the table towards the East, is very abrupt, for the rivery Uruguay rises 

 within fifty miles of the Atlantic shore, and its sources are nearly six 

 thousand feet above the level of the sea, nevertheless it runs Westward 

 nearly a thousand miles, and falls into the great drains of the central 

 waters. The Southern declivity which forms a considerable part of these 

 three provinces, is much more gentle ; along the sea-shore is a broad tract 

 of comparatively level country ; while the Northern and central parts, a 

 great buttress of the table, are broken and stony. All the more elevated 

 and rougher portions of this district are yet in the hands of the natives, 

 who probably will long retain them. They are now called Itapes, from 

 a serro of that name ; formerly they were denominated Caarijos, from 

 the nature of the country, then, as well as now, destitute of forest trees, 

 except on the borders of rivers. The eye of the traveller is wearied with 

 the view of downs, which seem interminable, and he is perpetually 

 reminded how solitary and defenceless he is. 



But these Downs were admirably fitted for the support and increase 

 of neat cattle and horses ; the first European settlers saw it, became 

 breeders and graziers, and stocked the country with innumerable herds. 

 Such was the abundance of provisions, that, as is reported, no part of the 

 ox was sometimes eaten, but the tongue only of the calf. Lately there 

 has been no such waste ; Brazil and the neighbouring countries requiring 

 a large supply, flesh is exported cured in different modes, as are hides, 

 tallow, cheese, and butter, some horses, and a few sheep. Beef alone 

 would not answer for the food of the inhabitants ; they have accordingly 

 cultivated with great success, though little care, various species of the 

 Pumpkin, Mandioca, Milho, Mandubi a small eatable root, Wheat, and 

 a little Barley ; and of some of these have had enough to spare for distant 



sale. They raise also a variety of fruits, both native and foreign ; which 



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