74 Prince Maximilian'' s 



made his loud deep whistle resound in three or four notes he 

 is heard in these immeasurable deserts, at all hours of the day, 

 atid even at midnight. The flesh of this bird has a very dis- 

 agreeable taste, like that of all the rest of his kind which is 

 generally denominated Tinamus or Inambus. When we had 

 emerged from the forest we found ourselves in extensive newly 

 formed plantations. Here on a height, where ancient trunks 

 of felled trees lay piled, like a barricado, one across another in 

 every direction, a beautiful prospect burst upon the sight of 

 the majestic wilds on the banks of the Itapabuana ; which, 

 like a vein of silver, issues winding from the dark forests and 

 meanders through a green plain, on which, surrounded by large 

 plantations, the great fazenda of Muribecca presents itself. 



Immense woods bounded the horizon. The numerous negroes 

 of the plantations stood gazing with astonishment at our 

 troop, which, as it emerged from the wood, seemed like the 

 vision of another world. We first reached Giitinguti which 

 bears with Muribecca, the common name of the fazenda of 

 Muribecca ; it formerly belonged to a territory of the Jesuits, 

 nine leagues in length, who founded this settlement; at present 

 it belongs to a company of four proprietors. There are already 

 here three hundred negro slaves, of whom, however, only 

 about fifty are strong able men, all entrusted to a feitor 

 (Manager,) by birth a Portuguese, who received us in a very 

 friendly manner. The labour of the slaves, consisting chiefly 

 in rooting up the woods, is here extremely hard. The plan- 

 tations consist chiefly of mandioca, millet, cotton, and some 

 coffee. 



Near Gutinguti flows the Itabapuana, a small river, which 

 when highest waters the meadows. The Chorography of 

 Brazil calls it improperly Reritigba, * which is however the 

 Benevente; it rises in the Serra do Pico, not far from the sources 

 of the Muriah^. The wide woods surrounding Muribecca are 

 inhabited by roving Piiris, who here, and at the distance of a 

 day's journey hence, commit acts of hostility. They are con- 

 sidered, and not without probability, to be the same who live in 

 a good understanding with the planters at S. Fidelis. They^ 

 attacked last August, on the Itabapuana, the herds of the 

 fazenda, and shot, maliciously, thirty head of cattle and a 

 horse. A young negro-boy, who attended them was taken when 

 separated from his armed companions, carried off", and, as it is 

 here declared, killed, roasted, and devoured. It is supposed 

 that they had cut ofl' the arms, and the legs, and the Üesh 



* Thk river is marked in several maps by the name of Compapuam, and 

 some of the inhabitants call it Campapoana, but its real name is as above. 



