NOTES ON GEOLOGY OF THE DISTRICTS VISITED. Limestone caves-Metalliferous region-Gneissic formations--Occur- rence over large area-Their decomposition on a gigantic scale in Brazil-Production of canyons by deluges of the wet seasons- Erosion of valleys-Watersheds of rivers changed-Fantastic rocks -Corcovado Railway-Petropolis Railway-Engineering difficulties -Causes of decomposition - The glacial theory- Ancient tem- perature at the Equator-Animal remains in caves-Refutation of Society A YEAR IN IN BRAZIL. CHAPTER I. OUTWARD BOUND. R.M.SS." Cotopaxi," English Channel. June 8, 1883.-Arriving at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, on the evening of the 5th, I was introduced by the heads. of the firm to the remainder of the staff (ten, counting myself) who form the expedition for the survey of the railway. The firm subsequently entertained us all at an excellent dinner, when "success to the expedition. enthusiastically drunk, in addition to other toasts, and a few speeches were made. We left Liverpool about 12.30 on the 6th inst., having been kept waiting an hour and a half on the landing stage for our tender amid a motley throng of emigrants for America, principally German and Norwegian. We passed the Great Orme's Head about three, and Holyhead at four. Quite close to the head we had a splendid view of the fine precipitous rocks going down right into the sea. About 8 a.m. on the 7th, we saw Land's End, and passed very near to it about 10 a.m., leaving it on the left and the Wolf Rock lighthouse on the right. B |