CHAPTER XXIV 
A Swampy Valley — Impressive Scenery — “Church Rock” — Escap¬ 
ing before a Forest Fire — The Rio Manso — Difficulties of 
Marching across Virgin Country — Beautiful Rapids 
O N leaving camp (June fifteenth) I noticed that the 
hills on which I had found the fossils formed a semi¬ 
circle to the west. Rising quickly to an elevation of 
2,070 feet, we were in sight of two great tablelands which 
stood to the west. In crossing the river I found a number 
of other fossils, among which was one that appeared to be 
the petrified foot of an animal of enormous proportions. 
We soon crossed the little stream Lazinha, which 
flowed into the Pedra Grande. As we travelled over two 
ridges (altitude 2,100 feet and 2,130 feet) separating 
deep basins, and the weather cleared a little, the view 
before us of the entire line of natural gateways, with two 
additional pyramidal and prismatic peaks to the south, 
became more and more beautiful. There was a strong 
breeze blowing from the northeast. At an elevation of 
2,150 feet we found quantities of marble chips and blocks 
and great masses of ferruginous, froth-like rock. 
As we went along we obtained an imposing view to 
the north of an immense plateau in three terraces, the 
lower one appearing like the sea — it was so blue — with 
the brilliant red, upper portion rising out of it like 
a great island. The foreground of dark green, in great 
undulations, stood out in contrast to the light green of 
the slopes of the plateau on the top of which we were 
marching. 
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