-( 270 ) 



Of salts, impure nitrate of potass is formed in great abundance, 

 generally, if not alwrays, in calcareous situations, in a tract of coun- 

 try which commences from ten to fourteen degrees west of Tejuco, 

 particularly at Monte Rodrigo, which is situated between the two 

 celebrated rivers called Rio dos Velhos and Parauna. This moun- 

 tain is very large and well-wooded ; the stratum is calcareous, and 

 contains many caves furred, as it were, with nitrate of potass. Since 

 Government has made nitre an object of commerce, and encouraged 

 its production, many families have settled at this place, and have 

 collected large quantities of this saliferous substance, which, after 

 several operations, is sent to Rio de Janeiro, where it is refined for 

 the great powder-manufactory recently established near that city. 



In various places are found the finest clays in great plenty, fit for 

 porcelain and earthenware of every description, which are entirely 

 neglected. In other parts I saw cyanite, actinolite, tremolite, pot- 

 stone, and chlorite. Conglomerate masses of recent formation, en- 

 veloping diamonds and grains of gold, are sometimes, though rarely, 

 met with ; also a siliceous substance of a fine dark-blue colour, pro- 

 bably totally unknown. 



On the vegetable products of this capitania I have but few ob- 

 servations to make, in addition to those already given in the course 

 of my narrative. Many parts are well calculated for the growth of 

 hemp and flax, and water for steeping them is easily attained in 

 most situations ; so that the only impediment to the introduction of 

 these useful plants appears to be the labour required to clean them. 



In the immense woods the finest trees are frequently destroyed by 

 ^le creeping plants, which cannot grow without adhering to some 

 support. When they attach themselves to a tree, they shoot up very 

 rapidly, encircling it with numerous fibres, and in a few years become 

 so strong as entirely to stop the growth of the tree, and at length 

 destroy it, Whep in a young state, they are so flexible as to be 

 used for ordinary purposes instead of cords. I have seen negroes 

 niake their bridles of them, and ride with them for a day together. 



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