NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



full splendour, its slanting beams were refracted as from thousands of 

 prisms, arranged with the utmost variety on the topmost branches of 

 the trees. The admixture of colours may be described as producing 

 something like the effect of an immense kaleidoscope. 



America was formerly the principal place in these parts, and probably 

 the residence of some of the native Chiefs. It derives its name from 

 Marica, a common word in the Tupi language, signifying any hollow 

 thing. Though a generic term, it is most frequently applied to the dried 

 shell of the Gourd, or of the fruit of the Passion Flower, which has not 

 been broken, and in which the seeds rattle. These the people preserved 

 and honoured, as a sort of household Gods. As they became acquainted 

 with the Europeans, who appeared on their coasts, new objects struck 

 their attention, and demanded names ; thus a barrel and a decked vessel, 

 as well as other hollow things, had the name of Marica or America trans- 

 ferred to them. Europeans were also obliged to bestow some appellation 

 on a newly-discovered country. Did they not adopt for this purpose, a 

 word which they heard frequently uttered ? And are not the different 

 names given to the new world, now nearly merged by common consent 

 into that which appears most natural ? Is it certain that Vespucius 

 brought hither with him the name of Americus, and that he did not 

 adopt it as an honourable and appropriate distinction, as Scipio received 

 the addition of Africanus ? There is no ground for the slightest suspicion, 

 that the village called America, and especially the Deities of the country, 

 have obtained their name in modern times ; the South Americans would 

 never borrow it from their conquerors, none of whose manners they will 

 adopt, and whose refinements they despise. 



After leaving the village, we crossed a considerable stream, and 

 entered a narrow road cut in the face of the hills, which rose two or three 

 hundred feet above us. Through the trees we gained some occasional 

 glimpses on the right, of the lake below and the plains beyond it.—^ 

 The soil of these hills is the common red clay of Brazil, which, when the 

 wood is cleared away, will afford good land for sugar and maize. Such 

 a, change was in progress ; a track about a yard wide, was cut, as is usual 



