518 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



applying at several huts, they were all found to be empty. Afterwards 

 a small village showed itself on the right, standing on the summit of a 

 hill, while the Ita-columi bore from us East by North. Our course was 

 directly opposite, by the side of a stream, over some singularly broken 

 land, covered with a calx-like dust, and amidst large masses of iron-stone, 

 and beds of schist and clay. • 



Rodeiro is a large well inclosed farm, cultivated on a considerable 

 scale, and in the best modes. The proprietor wisely employs himself 

 and his means in this way, rather than in the common search after 

 gold. Yet it could hardly be that he should not enter, in some measure, 

 into the spirit of the country ; his slaves are employed like those of his 

 neighbours after the freshes have passed away, and they collect for him 

 no small quantity of metal. His works connected with this occupation 

 are extensive, and, in some points, of a superior kind. Yet I contem- 

 plated with greater pleasure the vegetable produce of the farm, consisting 

 partly of good wheat and barley, together with some oats not equal in 

 quality to the other grain. 



The Venda at this place stands in a close and hot situation, so that 

 the Thermometer, about two o'clock, was as high as 78°. It is surrounded 

 with bluff rocks, and mountains at least seven hundred feet in height ; 

 yet the road seemed to be frequented, and we traced the impression of 

 wheels. The woods about this spot were full of Carapatos, insects much 

 like bugs, and probably of the same tribe. 



Having refreshed ourselves and the cattle, we proceeded downwardi 

 by the stream, rounding the head of the ridge, which passes Eastward 

 by Ouro Branco, At the distance of four miles we crossed a low ridge 

 of land, proceeded along the bed of a parallel stream, and finally entered 

 upon a broad dry moor, where were two or three good farm-houses. As 

 night approached the guide confessed that he had lost his way, and we 

 expected to pass the hours of darkness by the side of our horses. But 

 his presence of mind appeared to increase with the difficulty, and he 

 recovered the track leading to Chapaom. 



This is a lone hovise, standing in a lofty and exposed situation, 



