306 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



often thought that the modes which we here witnessed might sometimes 

 be employed for the relief of distressed seamen. If any thing like so 

 simple an invention has already been employed for this purpose, I should 

 rejoice if these slight notices contributed to its improvement and efficacy. 



On our approach, the next morning, to make another attempt to 

 cross the bar, the man in the ferry had reason to chide our delay, as the 

 tide was again running out. Eight horses were now in the midstream, 

 which had extended its breadth to two hundred yards ; the crews of two 

 canoas were endeavouring to make them stem it, yet were carried 

 downward with rapidity, and the spectators considered them as lost ; 

 they caught footing, however, before they reached the boiling occasioned 

 by the junction of the stream with the ocean. Our boatman took a 

 lesson from what he saw, made a long circuit, and landed us after our 

 horses had, without difficulty, swum nearly a mile. 



In this instance, as in others, I remarked that mules swim more 

 quickly than horses, are not so soon exhausted, and keep the riders drier 

 if there be occasion to continue on their backs ; on this account I would 

 recommend them to persons who have broad waters to pass. The recom- 

 mendation would prove superfluous to many Brazilians, who, in such 

 cases, prefer swimming themselves, having hold of the tails of the 

 animals. 



When, on the rain ceasing, the waters of the Lake return to their 

 usual level, the tide again shuts up the aperture, and, in a short time, 

 forms a dry and secure road across the bar ; but it never rises to the 

 height of the natural and long formed ridge with which it is connected 

 at both ends. Beyond this spot succeed the plains lying between the 

 Lake of America and the elevated Band, or Restinga, which bars the 

 sea, even from the mountains of Caarai to the lofty point of Ponta Negra. 

 Half way along the ridge, in the midst of a small singular wood, is a 

 circular lake, about a hundred yards in diameter. Often have I turned 

 aside to visit the charming scene, and enjoyed its shade with double 

 relish, after being exposed, foa several hours, to the fervent sun. The 

 surrounding soil here seems to rest upon granite, on the lee of which. 



