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PREFACE 



The late war opposed, during a long series of eventful years^ 

 numerous obstacles to any attempt to extend the knowledge of 

 Natural History and Geography by travels in foreign regions ; but 

 peace being at length restored, men, animated by the desire of 

 making new discoveries in the domain of nature, have been enabled 

 to undertake important Voyages and Journeys, and to communicate 

 their success to their contemporaries. The change produced in 

 Brazil by the residence of the royal family of Portugal, and the 

 liberal disposition of the government, have lately attracted several 

 travellers to that quarter. Mr. Mawe obtained permission to visit 

 the rich diamond mines, to which no foreigner had before been ad- 

 mitted. Some Germans have since gone over the same ground 

 Lieutenant-colonel Von Eschwege has already favoured the public 

 with some interesting treatises, and important discoveries may still 

 be expected from this scientific observer. Through the recom- 

 mendation of that enlightened minister the Conde de Barca, Ke 

 was not only allowed to visit the different captainships of the mo- 

 narchy, but received an annual sum to defray his expences. How 

 different is this conduct from that formerly pursued by the Portu- 

 guese government, when every foreigner on his arrival was surround-) 

 ed by soldiers, and jealously watched ! 



It would require several years to explore this great country, 

 though Mawe and Eschwege have already travelled through Mi7iaii 

 Geraes. I found it therefore most convenient to direct^ my atten- 

 tion to the east coast, which, if not entirely unknown, had hither- 

 to remained undescribed. Several races of Indians inhabit this 

 quarter, whose manners have not been affected by the intercourse 

 of Europeans. The high naked ridge of mountains which passes 

 through Brazil, is separated from the east coast by extensive fo- 

 rests, which stretch from Rio de Janeiro to Bahia de iodos as San- 



