NOTES ON BRAZIL, 



405 



contracted, and thus sheltered from rain. The upper part frequently 

 appears patched, as though an addition had been made to the cells, or a 

 breach repaired. Whether the bees drive out the ants or only take 

 possession of a deserted hive, I know not ; but I found they were of a 

 small brown species, such as I had never noticed below. Within the 

 hollow they deposit their round balls of wax and honey, and are de- 

 prived of it by travellers. 



We have proceeded to-day only eight miles, not more than five 

 perhaps in a right line, toward the N. W. and are lodged in an open 

 shed, with a great deal of company; just below our lodgement three 

 dells unite, down two of them flow small streams, which pass off by 

 the third, toward the South-East. 



Next morning it was found that the Mules had strayed, a circum- 

 stance from which I learned that a traveller should see the troop off 

 before he leaves his resting place, otherwise, in a country like this, he may 

 leave behind him his baggage andall his comforts. Having discovered the 

 wanderers, v/e'advanced, and found the road still difficult and tortuous. In 

 the distance of nine miles, we ascended six different times as much as eight 

 hundred feet and descended as frequently, finding, contrary to our former 

 experience, that the hills on their Northern side were the steepest. 



Owing to the broken and abrupt nature of the country, the views 

 opened first to the West, then to the East, afterward towards the South- 

 East, and at a league before we reached the Parahybiina, to the North. 

 Here we look upon an inclined plane, on the other side of the river, full 

 twenty miles broad, decorated with strong undulations, and clothed with 

 an undivided garment of the richest forests. 



Where we first gain a view of the river, it appears like a round 

 lake, encompassed with white buildings, surrounded by a lofty and 

 verdant circle of mountains, but descending to its brink, we find above 

 and below the ferry a broad bed of black and ugly-looking rocks, through 

 which the water has worn deep and irregular channels, combining 

 to form one of the most disgusting streams I ever beheld. As I 

 approached the passage, a drove of oxen were swimming across it 



