106 



Pnnce Maximilian's 



and dropsy ; th€ kernel of the fruit is well knöwn by the 

 name of Cachu-nut. Towards evening our passage was 

 very pleasant, we were no longer annoyed by mnsqwitos, and 

 through the thick umbrage of the leafy woods, the cheering 

 beams of the rising fall moon glittered. From afar at the 

 fazenda, the drum of the blacks sounded, the negro slaves 

 contiime as much as possible, the customs of their native 

 country, who according to the general agreement of those who 

 have visited Africa, are every where fond of musicial instru- 

 inents, of which the drum is most esteemed. Wherever any 

 number of negroes are employed in a fazenda, they paint and 

 dress themselves on their feast-days in the way of their 

 country, and enjoy their national dance. We found at the 

 fazenda of As Raismas a young Puri brought from Ouvidor, 

 who spoke Portuguese and possessed a good understanding, was 

 well versed in his native language, and was able to declare 

 the articles of their faith. 



An Indian, who had accidentally joined us, conducted us 

 northwards from Itaunas ; he was provided with arm?, 

 and well acquainted with the road. We crossed two small 

 rivulets, Riacho Doce and Rio das Ostras. The country round 

 about exhibited a most rich appearance. Os Lemues (the 

 white cloth,) next presented itself, so called from the white 

 sand and grass, which is seen at sea, and has the appearance 

 of cloth hanging out. The Potachos, who inhabit these regions, 

 have been long at peace. About two leagues further is 

 Barra de Nova, with a small village, the houses of which are 

 built on a rising ground : here we rested during the heat of 

 noon, and at the close of the day came to the mouth of the 

 Mucuri, a river not rapid, but clothed with thick overshadow- 

 ing woods, Avhich, with numerous shrubs growing on its 

 banks gave us repose and shelter from the heat. Villa de 

 S. Jos^ do Port Jllegre, usually called de Mucuri, is situated 

 on the north bank of the river not far from its entrance. It 

 contains thirty or forty houses, with a small chapel. The 

 inhabitants are principally Indians ; poor, and have but little 

 employment. The town-clerk keeps a store, and sells brandy : 

 there is a priest, and two of the inhabitants, in turn, act as 

 judges, which is the general practice in the Brazils. Father 

 Vigario Mendes is the only inhabitant who has a respectable 

 fazenda; he has also milch-kine, a thing very rare in these 

 parts. The minister of state the Conde da Berea, is a great 

 landowner here, and brought a certain engineer fro^n Thü- 

 ringen, named Kramer, to direct and superintend the erection 

 of a mill. 



Almost all the fine species of wood of the whole coast are 



