RIO DE JANEIRO. 



45 



peaks, representing the pipes of that instrument. 

 These are totally barren and naked, and contrast 

 strongly with the soft and well-dressed scenes 

 below. The universal verdure is very striking, 

 and my attention was drawn to the variety of 

 colours in the plumage of the birds, as well as 

 to the singularity of some of their notes. That 

 of the Ben-te-vi, in particular, is very remark- 

 able. This bird pronounces plainly, and in a 

 melancholy tone, the three syllables (ben-te-vi) 

 from which it takes its name. 



Before sunset we passed a very bright 

 green field of young sugar-canes, which I then 

 saw for the first time. It now became quite 

 dark overheard, but another light seemed to 

 start up from beneath ; myriads of large fireflies 

 were instantly in motion all around us ; whilst 

 the silence of the evening was disturbed by an 

 infinite variety of nocturnal noises, unknown in 

 our quiet region ; — the croaking of frogs, resem- 



vol. i. c 



