NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



319 



standing pensively at the door of the cabin, and endeavoured to find 

 them something a little better than what was to be gathered on the 

 beach. In return they conveyed us along the coast of the notorious 

 water of Iruama, the abominable smell of which was heightened by the 

 still air and dense fogs of the morning. 



After proceeding two miles the road deviated from the beach, and 

 led us, in a North-eastern direction, through some well cleared and well 

 fenced pastures, stocked with cows, I had then seen no farm in Brazil 

 which appeared equal to this ; the house, too, stood on a commanding and 

 pleasant elevation, and was really magnificent, though, as usual, wanting 

 in comforts. The country round about was thinly inhabited, and 

 exhibited marks of capital and tenantry inadequate to its cultivation. 

 Once more we approached the water, at a part where its curving shores 

 are peculiarly beautiful, displaying a happy mixture of rocks, woods, 

 pasture-lands, and praias, with a mountainous back-ground, terminated 

 by the bold and double headed summit of Cape Frio. 



As we passed through the woods our guide showed himself well 

 acquainted with the Forest-trees, and with the variety of fruits and 

 drugs which they yielded. He gathered and presented to us the apple 

 of a species of Indian Fig-tree, here called Jamaica, informing us that it 

 was used as a febrifuge, and we really found it full of a grateful subacid 

 juice. His intelligence, and his mode of communicating what he knew, 

 engaged our confidence ; and, in return, I won his heart by allowing 

 him to carry my gun. To check his vivacity on this occasion, without 

 impairing his usefulness, seemed necessary ; therefore as we rode onward 

 I discharged a pistol at a hawk, and struck the tree on which he sat. 



We here met with several deserted indigo works ; the people having 

 found it more profitable to cultivate the common productions, or to employ 

 themselves in cutting timber, fire- wood, or fustjc, with which every spot 

 abounded. These articles are conveyed away in small vessels, chiefly to Rio 

 de Janeiro. A black fenny tract, covered with water, three miles broad, 

 a.nd extending, on either hand, beyond the reach of the eye, now presented 

 itself, and proved to be the place where we had been told that we should 



