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which we rode for some distance, presented some fine grazing land. 

 Passing through a broken and irregular tract of country, we arrived 

 at another deserted village called Gaspar Suares, and rode up to the 

 house above-mentioned, the owner of which was from home, but his 

 lady received me very politely. Having arrived rather early in the 

 evening, I employed myself some time in walking about the grounds : 

 the mountain on which the house stands consists almost entirely of 

 micaceous iron ore* ; the wall before the door of the house was built 

 of that substance. In some parts, to my great surprise, I observed 

 it lying in regular strata, not more than an inch in thickness, between 

 beds of white sand. The quantity of ore found in this neighbour- 

 hood is so considerable as to have induced Government to commence 

 an iron-work, under the direction of Mr. Fernando de Camara,Intend- 

 ant of the Diamond District. In aid of this undertaking, the gen- 

 tleman, at whose house I was a guest, has presented a square league 

 of wood-land, the only tract of that description in the neighbourhood. 

 The ground for the intended works is marked out, and a few blocks 

 of stone are prepared ; but the undertaking seems to go on very 

 slowly, and probably will not arrive at any great degree of per- 

 fection. 



This hill and the streams near it were formerly rich in gold, but 

 they have been completely washed, and are at present as much ex- 

 hausted as the works at Itambe. A rivulet which runs over the top 

 of the hill aftbrded conveniences for washing, which are very rarely 

 to be met with ; it is now intended to be converted to the use of the 

 iron manufactory. 



On the following day I continued my route northerly, over a fine 

 country, and, after riding, or rather walking, about six miles of bad 

 road with wretched mules, ascended a hill abounding with rich com- 

 pact iron ore. Two leagues of the way were covered with excellent 



* This substance contains fine -formed octaedral crystals of magnetic iron. 



