Travels in ihe Braxils, 



15 



(ibtäfS öf Üirs traveller, some minute information impeding the cu- 

 rious changes it undergoes may be expected. 1 iie steep preci- 

 pices along the shore were overgrown with large cactifs trees, and 

 the agare Jktida, while the clustering bushes at tlieir feet pro- 

 duced a picturesque effect. On our way back to Rio, we saw the 

 Armacao das Baleiias, or the magazine for the whale fishery. 

 Wh^es are still extremely numerous on the coast of Bräail, 

 though the fishery has been carried to a very great extent. Lery 

 rmöntiöns that they were formerly found even in the river of Rio 

 de Janeiro. 



I should have been very well pleased to liave mad« a longer 

 stay Rio, but that would have been contrary to the plan I had 

 laid down, for the riches of nature are not to be found in cities, 

 but in fields and forests. Through the liberal spirit of the go- 

 vernment, aided by the friendly attentions of the Minister Conde 

 da Barca, I was enabled speedily to make every necessary arrange- 

 ment for my joorney. I received a passport and letters of recom- 

 mendation to the different Captains General. The civil aiw:! mi- 

 litary authorities were directed to give us every assistance, to for- 

 ward our oollections to Rio, and, if we required it, to supply us 

 witb beasts of burthen, attendants, and escorts of soldiers. Two 

 young Germans, MM. Sellow and Freyreiss, who were familiar 

 with the language and manners of the country, joined me in the 

 enterprise of exploring the eastern coast towards Caravellas. We 

 procured sixteen mules, each of which carried two wooden chests, 

 secured ag-ainst rain and moisture by coverings of raw ox hides ; 

 and, having engaged ten men to take care of our cattle, and to 

 assist in hunting, we proceeded on our journey, well armed, sup- 

 plied wiVh sufficient amunition, and provided with every thing re- 

 quisite foi- collecting objects of natural history. 



CHAPTER III. 



$ourney from Rio de Janeiro through Prayci Grande, S. Gon- 

 zalves^ River Guajuitiho, Serra de Inua, Lahe and Freguesia 

 of Marica, Gurapina, Ponta Negra, Sagoarema, Lagoa de 

 Jiraruama, S. Pedro dos Indios, to Cabo Frio. 



AFTER we had made pTeparations for our departure from St. 

 Christopher, a small village in the neiglxbourhood of Rio, our cat- 

 tle were put on board a large barge; but it cost us much trou- 

 ble before we could bring our mules to embark,for want ofnccessai'y 

 conv(?niences. We left St. Christopher on the 4th of August, and 

 sailed through the great bay of Rio to the vilL'ige of Praya Grande, 

 where we landed about midnight. All the inhabitants were wr«p- 



