( 320 ) 



by friction, and weighed at least a pound. Of the geology of this 

 capitania very little is known. 



Ill various parts jaguars, and other beasts of prey, are very com- 

 mon. Among the granivorous animals are capivaras of great size, 

 deer in great numbers, and armadillos, which afford excellent eating 

 when roasted. Of birds, there are ostriches of the dark-coloured 

 species, which go about in flocks in great numbers. There are 

 eagles, hawks, and other birds of prey, particularly a species of 

 crow of the vulture kind. Cranes, storks, wild turkeys, ducks, par- 

 tridges, horned plovers, goat-suckers, horned owls, small parrots, car- 

 dinals, humming birds, &c. are found in great numbers. 



The inhabitants are, generally speaking, athletic and robust, and 

 so extremely fond of riding, as not to go the smallest distance on 

 foot. They are esteemed excellent horsemen, and greatly surpass 

 their neighbours in dexterity and agility, particularly in catching 

 cattle with the balls and the lazo. But it ought to be understood 

 that the Spaniards have Peons on their farms, who are more nearly 

 allied to the Indians than to them, whereas the Portugueze have 

 Creolians, bred up to the business, or expert negroes, who are inferior 

 to none in this labour. 



It is singular to Europeans, that in this fine climate, where the 

 thermometer is frequently below 40^ Fahrenheit, and where are bred 

 as fine cows as any in the world, and every convenience is at hand 

 for dairies, neither butter nor cheese is made, except on particular 

 occasions ; nor is milk even for coffee to be procured at all times. 

 It may probably be urged that the production of these articles would 

 not answer the purpose of the farmers : but certainly it might be 

 made to do so ; and I hesitate not to say, that a hundred cows, kept 

 for dairy purposes, would yield to any man capable of rearing, train- 

 ing, and managing them, a greater profit than any other part of hus- 

 bandry. This colony might easily be made to supply the neigh' 

 bouring districts, and even the whole of Brazil, with these articles, 



9 



