10 
THE AMAZON AND AIADEIRA RIVERS. 
I 
0 
By roasoii of excellent natural pastnrc.s of great extent (campus or 
2>rairics), the Southern provinces, Itio Grande, Parana, Santa Oatharina, 
and Sao Paulo, are particularly well adapted for cattle-breeding. The 
interior of Piauhy and Pernambuco, and the isles of Marajo and Goyaz, 
also breed fine cattle ; hut, on the whole, this branch of fanning has not 
yet obtained the attention it merits, and Brazil is much in the rear even 
of its next neighbours, the Spanish Eepublies, in respect not only of the 
quality of the cattle, but also of utilising the different parts of the 
slaughtered animals, the tallow, hides, bones, hoofs, and horns. 
However, it was neither the fat pasturage nor the fertility of the soil 
that proved the strongest allurements to the first immigrants after its 
discovery. It was the metallic Mualth of the country. We owe the first 
descriptions of the interior to small troops of gold-greedy adventurers, 
Avho had set out to seek the Dorado, a fabulous land of gold and diamonds, 
created by their own vivid imaginations. Especially the settlers of the 
former Capitania de Sao Yicente (the present Sao Paulo), distinguished 
themselves by their bold explorations ; and the province of Minas Geracs 
bears, to the present day, the name they gave it for its mines. 
Although these latter are no longer thought of such high importance, 
tlie due development of agriculture being conisidercd (and with reason) to 
be a much sounder basis of progress for the country, yet several large 
mines are successfully worked at Morro-Velho and its vicinity by EngUsh 
companies. Mato Grosso also is very rich in ore ; and the old mines near 
the sources of the Guapor(i, for example, were abandoned only on account 
of the diificulty of communication and of the fevers. 
Diamonds also were found shortly after the discovery ; and here again 
the province of Minas ranks foremost, witli its diamond-Avashings in tlic 
Jequitinhonha, the Diamantina, and the Bagagem, Avhere the renowned 
“Estrella do Sul” aaus foimd. Though in the last centiuy the European 
merchants, anxious not to overstock the market, and so lessen the value 
of their Indian supplies, would not recognise Brazilian diamonds as such, 
they yet have forced their way ; and it is not saying too much to assert 
that the greater part of the diamonds Avoru thi’OAighoAit the world come 
from Brazil. 
Of course there is no question yet of cutting them there, as manufac- 
tm'Iug activity, no matter on what scale, cannot he thought of in a 
country where hands are so seareo and where wages and provisions are so 
high. Everytliing that demands “ mao d’obra,” from the silk dress and 
