A Year in Brazil

PREFACE.

IN offering this book as a slight contribution to the bibliography of Brazil I must claim indulgence for many shortcomings. It is merely intended as a sketch; but, in addition to the journal, which is almost entirely formed of letters written home, I have added short notes on various subjects, which I hope may be of interest to many different classes of readers.

Before starting for Brazil-which I did at a week's notice I received letters from scientific friends intimating that they expected me to carry on extensive researches, make collections, and take notes on most of the branches of natural science. Each of the subjects would have been sufficient to occupy my whole time; but I went out for a special purpose, to survey for a railway, in a position of considerable responsibility, and unexpected duties and anxieties devolved upon me. Respecting this work, which engrossed my attention and, of course, most of my time, I am thankful to say I was enabled to carry it out satisfactorily; but in my book, for many reasons, I have refrained from treating on that subject in detail.

All botanists know the labour entailed by the preservation of plants, and will understand why I was unable to do what I could have wished in that line.

As regards Entomology, I took every opportunity of collecting everything that I was able to obtain; and my workmen, knowing my predilection, continually brought me specimens.

I must here express my deep gratitude to Senhor Vicente de Azevedo Souza, of Pitanguy, Minas Geraes, who collected many insects and birds while he was with me in camp near the Serra do Cortume, in August and September, 1883; and subsequently sent me some fifteen hundred specimens of Coleoptera, with a few Lepidoptera and other insects, from Pitanguy.

The notes on the climatology of the mountain districts, where I resided from July, 1883, to May, 1884, at a mean altitude of three thousand feet above the sea level, will, I hope, be found of some interest.

I must refer to two very valuable works from which I have quoted largely: Professor Emanuel Liais's* "Climats, Géologie, Faune, et Géographie botanique du Brésil” (Paris, 1872), and Captain Richard F. Burton's † “Explorations of the Highlands of Brazil" (London, 1869, 2 vols.). The former is exclusively scientific, and very important as a book of reference. The latter, though published sixteen years ago, might have been produced yesterday as far as life in the interior is concerned. Both these works are most charmingly written, and I must here express the great obligation I am under to these two gentlemen, as well as to Mr. H. W. Bates, for most generously giving me special permission to make extracts from their respective volumes.

* Late Director of the Imperial Observatory at Rio de Janeiro, Astronomer of the Observatory at Paris, etc.

+ Now Sir Richard F. Burton, K. C.M.G.

Captain Burton, whose knowledge of languages is perhaps unequalled, and who is well known for the daring explorations and expeditions which he has carried out, travelled from Rio de Janeiro, vid Petropolis, Juiz de Fora, Barbacena, Sao João del Rey, and Olhos d'Agua, to Cougonhas do Campo, and thence by the Rio das Velhas to its junction with the Rio São Francisco, which river he followed some fifteen hundred miles to its embouchure in the province of Bahia. The earlier part of his journey often crossed the districts I visited and worked on, as will be seen by reference to the map; and for this reason I detail his route.

To attempt to rival such a book as Captain Burton's, much less M. Liais's scientific work, would be an impertinence; but if my modest journal be a means of passing a few pleasant hours, and if my notes can add anything to the store of general knowledge, I shall be content.

Although insects only were my special object, I have given the names of the species of all the various orders collected or noticed by me, as far as I have been able to determine them. They include—

In conclusion, I must express the sense of my great indebtedness to my mother, who has afforded me invaluable help by her suggestions on the manuscript, and by her assistance in correcting the proof-sheets; to Messrs. Ross and Mathews, my employers, for their unvarying kindness and consideration during the time I was engaged working for them; and to Mr. James Cosmo Melvill, M.A., F.L.S. ; as also to the other gentlemen whose names are appended.

To Mr. Melvill, with whom I have been in constant. correspondence; who has set his large entomological, conchological, and botanical collections at my disposal, and has, with the most unvarying patience, assisted me by his advice in many matters.

To Mr. W. F. Kirby, from whose books and personal kindness I have derived the greatest help.

To Mr. James Britten, F.L.S., Mr. H. N. Ridley, M.A., F.L.S., and Mr. W. Carruthers, F.R.S., of the Botanical Department, British Museum, who have devoted much time to naming my plants.

And to Mr. C. O. Waterhouse, for his benevolent assistance with the Coleoptera.

HASTINGS CHARLES DENT.

20, THURLOE SQUARE, LONDON, S.W.,

March, 1886.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I,

OUTWARD BOUND.

Off-Land's End-Sounding-The Gironde-Bordeaux-Civil marriage
-Electric light-Bay of Carril-Vigo-Emigrants--Lisbon--Peak
of Teneriffe-St. Paul's Rocks-Fernando de Neronha-Abrolhos

PAGE

CHAPTER II.

ARRIVAL AT RIO, AND JOURNEY TO QUELUZ.

Bay of Rio de Janeiro-The town—Jardim Botanico-Railway journey to

Carandahy-Scenery-Fellow-travellers-Hotel-Ride to Queluz-

Engineers-Ox-carts-Paraopeba