68 



Prince Maximilian^s 



young rose- coloured leaves, and covered with large flowers of 

 a peculiar form in full bloom.* We halted at the house 

 of Senhor Moraes who had prepared some subjects of natural 

 history for us. Some Families of Puris came meanwhile up, 

 and encamped near the house. These savages have a particu- 

 lar affection for this worthy Planter, who always treats them 

 in a friendly and ingenuous manner. Without regarding the 

 considerable damage which they often occasion to him, he 

 always allows them the pillage of his orange and banana- 

 trees, and of his sugar-cane fields. ' A man such as he, 

 who possesses their love and respect, will be the first to suc- 

 ceed in withdrawing them from a state of savageness, and 

 uniting them in Aldeas, or villages. On our again setting out, 

 he accompanied us through hilly ways down the bank 

 where we had often to pass over difficult places on the steep 

 precipices ; we then entered a grand gloomy forest, in which 

 very beautiful butterflies were fluttering about. We found 

 here close to the bank a small island surrounded by steep 

 rocks, on which stood some old trees covered with the bag- 

 formed nests of the Cassicus hcsmorhous. Plantations of sugar- 

 cane, rice, and coffee, but of the last not many, and islands, 

 partly cultivated and partly overspread with wood, added va- 

 riety to the scene. Towards evening we arrived at a consider- 

 able Fazenda, built on a plain near the river, where, being 

 well received, we resolved to spend the night. On the oppo 

 site side of the valley rose a high mountain, and on this the 

 Morro de Sapeteira with several tops. 



On the following morning, after our horses had been col- 

 lected on the meadow, we continued our journey, and arrived ^ 

 at mid-day at the Muriähe, which, though not broad, is deep 

 and rapid, and occasions much damage in the wet seasons. It 

 rises in the Serra do Pico in the territory of the Puris, is said 

 to be navigable for seven leagues, and has one Caxocira. On 

 its banks there were considerable fazendas, where much 

 eugar is cultivated. A small canoe carried us over the stream, 

 and by evening we reached the spot, where the Villa de S. 

 Salvador extends itself on the opposite bank. At this part we 

 found an old Indian village. Aide de S. Antonio, which the Je- 

 suits had formed of the Corulhos-lndmns but which now con- 

 tains no Caboclos among its inhabitants. 



* In an essay by Captain Marlier in Von Eschwege's Journal, S. 113^ this 

 tree is improperly called the Cocus de Sapucaya ; it has nothing in eommoa 

 with Palms. 



