A WONDERFUL SUNSET 
towards the north, where the edge of its summit was some 
50 feet lower than on the south. The vegetation was 
somewhat stunted, but interesting, for many were the 
trees I noticed which could be put to some use or other. 
The Barbatinao (Stryphnodendron bar M.) was plentiful, 
and could be used advantageously in tanning leather; 
the Pao de ferro (Ccesalpina ferrea M.) and the Paneira 
were present in quantities. 
Through the forest we descended, in three hours, to 
the Rio Virissimo, which, swollen by the sub-tributaries 
Barrocas, Indaica, Pirahitinga, and Perobas on the east 
and Vae Vem on the west, throws itself into the Parana- 
tinga between Morro Alto and Porto do Barreiro. That 
stream had been bridged over. We had descended to 
2,000 feet. During the entire distance — we had travelled 
some 23 kilometres from the Paranahyba River — we had 
passed only two miserable sheds, and we had not met a 
single soul, barring a glimpse at a shaggy female who 
happened to be opening the door of her hut as we were 
passing, and banged it shut with a yell of terror and bolted 
it, as she perceived us riding by. 
A peculiar kind of wild fig-tree was to be seen, ball¬ 
like in appearance, with branches inclined down instead 
of skyward, like most trees. On our right, as we pro¬ 
ceeded down to the farms of S. Jeronymo and Sta. 
Barbara (elevation 2,400 feet) stood a mountain with 
beautiful grazing land upon its slopes. Healthy, fat 
cattle, in most wonderful condition, testifying to the ex¬ 
cellence of the grazing in that region, were bred by the 
farmers. To the north, northeast, and northwest behind 
this place were to be seen delightful green, round-topped 
hills, also with excellent grazing. A few cows and 
imported zebus were to be seen, it is true, but the country 
could support a million times that number and more. 
It was that evening that I noticed for the first time 
in Brazil a peculiar and most wonderful effect of light at 
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