Travels in Brazil in the years 1817-1820

Front matter

TRAVELS IN BRAZIL VOL. I London: Printed by A. & R. SpotliswooJc, New-Street-Square. I Tuvt .*? CSJ.'S>Jfaso'iu824-. TRAVELS IN BRAZIL, IN THE YEARS 1817—1820. UNDERTAKEN BY COMMAND OF HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF BAVARIA. BY Dr. JOH. BAPT. VON SPIX, and Dr. C. F. PHIL. VON MARTIUS, KNIGHTS OF THE ROYAL BAVARIAN ORDER OF CIVIL MERIT, AND MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AT MUNICH, &C. &C. VOLUME THE FIRST. LONDON: ■PRINTED FOR. LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, PATERNOSTER-ROW. 1824. TO HIS MAJESTY MAXIMILIAN JOSEPH THE FIRST, KING OF BAVARIA. Sire, When Your Majesty had decided on send ing a literary expedition to Brazil, you were pleased to confide to us the execution of this royal resolution. Attachment to Your Majesty and to the sciences was the guardian Genius that guided us amidst the dangers and fatigues of so extensive a journey, through a part of the world so imperfectly known, and brought a VI DEDICATION. us back in safety, from that remote hemi sphere, to our native land.

This undertaking, therefore, which is, per haps, not without importance in the history of the Bavarian nation, owes its origin and its success to Your Majesty ; and whatever advantages the sciences may derive from it, must be solely ascribed to the magnanimity and favour of a monarch, who, considering science as the highest ornament of humanity, founds upon it, by means of the wisest institutions, the happiness of his people. Penetrated with feelings of the most pro found gratitude, we, therefore, venture to approach Your Majesty's throne, and most respectfully to offer to the best of kings the first fruits of our mission. Encouraged by Your Majesty's most gra cious assurance, that, in the performance of our undertaking, we have fulfilled Your DEDICATION. VII Majesty's intentions, we are now animated by the wish that the literary description of its results may likewise be found worthy of the approbation of our beloved Sovereign.

With the most profound respect we are, Sire, Your Majesty's Most devoted and Most faithful subjects, DR. J. B. VON SPIX. DR. C. F. P. VON MARTIUS. t a TRANSLATOR'S

Preface

. At a period when the peculiar situation of the immense countries in America, formerly belonging to the crowns of Spain and Portugal, so powerfully claims the attention of the politician, the statesman, and the merchant, no more can be required to recommend a work like that here offered to the public, than the assurance that it is not a mere compilation, got up to meet the exigencies of the moment, but a real and authentic narrative, of a journey through a great extent of a most interest ing country, hitherto but imperfectly, or not at all explored, and performed by persons every way qualified to gather ample materials for both instruction and entertainment. That such a feeling is very general may be inferred from the numerous works that have been published of late years relating to different parts of South America.

In exploring this vast continent, peculiar merit belongs to the Germans, to whom the illustrious name of Von Humboldt alone, secures, without dispute, the palm of superiority. The removal of the Court of Portugal from Lisbon to Rio de X

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. Janeiro, opened an extensive field of research, of which the Germans amply availed themselves. Many men, well-versed in different branches of science, especially mineralogy, entered into the service of the Court of Rio de Janeiro, and very interesting communications, sent by them, have been published in the German literary jour nals, though it is to be regretted that few of them have become known in this country. The marriage of an Austrian Princess with the Crown Prince of Brazil, gave, however, the most powerful stimulus to the German literati, and the fairest op portunity for visiting Brazil with all the advantages that the protection of the government could afford. Accordingly the Emperor of Austria sent several learned men, well skilled in the various depart ments of natural history and natural philosophy, in the suite of the Archduchess his daughter, and His Majesty the King of Bavaria embraced this favourable opportunity to send two members ofthe Academy of Sciences at Munich, who would thus be under the protection of the Austrian embassy, and enjoy the best recommendation to the Court of Rio de Janeiro.

The particulars being detailed in the first chapter of this work, it is unnecessary to dwell on them here ; but it may be observed that this is the first account yet published by any of the Ger man literati who went to Brazil with the Austrian legation, excepting some essays on subjects of natural history, as well by the authors of this work, as by

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. XI some of the Austrian naturalists which have ap peared in different German journals. Professor Natterer, one ofthe most distinguished ofthe latter, has not yet returned to Europe, but may be expected in the course of this year. With regard to Messrs. Spix and Martius, they have adopted, in a great measure, the plan of Baron Von Humboldt, having published, besides this personal narrative, three or four separate works, each exclusively dedicated to some one branch of natural history. As the volumes now offered to the public con tain only the first half of the personal narrative, (the remaining part being in the press) it may not be irrelevant to acquaint the reader, that notwith standing the interest which it is hoped will be excited by these volumes, it may be justly expected that the remaining part will be found to possess still greater novelty, and to afford more ample information, and more striking incidents.

In con firmation of this assurance, I add the following out line of the latter part of their travels in Brazil. The fatigues that they had to endure in the sequel of their expedition having brought on se vere illness, they rested for a time in the capitania of Maranham, whence, as soon as they were suf ficiently recovered, they proceeded to the island of St. Louis, and after a six days' voyage by sea, from that place, landed at Para. Having at length reached the banks of the majestic and immense river of the Amazons, bounded by a lofty and

PREFACE.

. evergreen tbrest, they had attained the chief ob ject of their wishes ; and setting out on the 21st of August, 1819, proceeded along the bank of the stream (amidst a chaos of floating islands, falling masses of the banks, immense trunks of trees carried down by the current, the cries and screams of countless multitudes of monkeys and birds, shoals of turtles, crocodiles, and fish, gloomy forests full of parasite plants and palms, with tribes of wan dering Indians on the banks, marked and disfigured in various manners, according to their fancies,) till they reached the settlement of Panxis, where, at the distance of 500 miles up the country, the tide of the sea is still visible, and the river, confined to the breadth of a quarter of a league, of unfathomable depth. They then journeyed to the mouth of the Rio Negro.

From this place everything becomes more wild, and the river of the Amazons resumes its ancient name of Solimoes, which it had from a nation now extinct. The travellers had chosen the most favourable season of the year, when the numerous sandy islands, which are at other times covered, rising above the now low water, invited the inhabitants of the surround ing tracts, who piled up in heaps the new-laid turtles' eggs, out of which, by the aid of water and rum, they prepared the finest oil. At the town of Ega on the Rio Teffe the two travellers separated. Dr. Martius proceeded up the collateral stream, the Japura, overcame, by

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. XIII the most painful exertions, the cataracts and the rocks on the river, and at length arrived at the foot of the mountain Arascoara, in the middle of the southern continent, separated from Quito only by the Cordilleras. Dr. Spix proceeded up the main stream, crossed the broad rivers Jurua and Jurahy, and the Spanish river 15a, and penetrated at length, through clouds of poisoned arrows dis charged by the Indians, and of venomous insects, through contagious diseases, and threatening mountain torrents, to the mouth of the river Jupary, at the last Portuguese settlement of Tabatiaga, on the frontiers of Peru, where he heard the language of the Incas. Had the two travellers prosecuted their enterprise, a few weeks longer, they would have reached the opposite shores of the South American continent.

But to effect this they needed the pexmission of the viceroy of Peru, and the time allowea them for their journey, would not permit them to extend it further. They again turned to the east, and the stream carried them down so rapidly that they arrived in five days at the place, from which it had cost a full month's exertion to work their way up the river. After several lateral excursions, which amply repaid their labour, they again reached Para on the 16th of April 1820. The object of their mission was com pleted : the continent had been traversed from 24 * south latitude to the Equator, and under the line, from Para to the eastern frontier of Peru ; an in-

PREFACE.

. credible store of natural treasures, and of curious information had been acquired. It is a most gratifying circumstance that all their collections, without a single exception, have arrived safe, and in perfect preservation at Munich, where His Majesty the King of Bavaria has had them all scientifically arranged, according to the several divisions of the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, in a noble build ing fitted up expressly for their reception, under the appropriate name of the Brazilian Museum, of which the indefatigable travellers, to whom it owes its existence, are most deservedly appointed con servators. With respect to the translation, I do not feel it necessary to say more, than that it has been exe cuted with all the care that I could bestow upon it, and that in the whole of the mineralogical part, especially the notes, I have had the assistance of one of the ablest mineralogists in the kingdom, to whom, though I do not feel myself authorised to mention his name in this place, I cannot refrain from returning my acknowledgments for the ad ditional value which the work has derived from his liberal assistance. H. E. LLOYD. London, March 1824. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

Book I. Chapter

I. Preparation for the Expedition. — Journey froril Munich, by way of Vienna, to Triest. Page 1—18 Occasion and object of the journey. — Preparations sot it. — Stay .at Vienna. — Meeting with the Austrian naturalists belonging to the expedition to Brazil. — Journey by way of Laibach and Idria to Triest. — Excursion to Venice. — Return over land to Triest. — Marine productions of this country. — Arrival of the Imperial Austrian embassy. — Notes. CONTENTS.

Chapter II

Departure from Triest. — Voyage through the Adriatic and the Mediterranean to Gibraltar. Page 19—52. Storm in the Adriatic. — Stay at Pola. — Voyage in the Adriatic, along the Dalmatian and Italian coasts. — Stay at Malta. — Lavalletta. — Citta Vecchia. — Voyage in the Mediterranean. — Phosphorescence of the water of that sea. — Arrival at Gibraltar. — Notes: — The plants of Pola and the vicinity. — The Fauna and Flora of the island of Malta.

Chapter III

Stay at Gibraltar, and in the vicinity. Page 53 — 80. The town and its inhabitants. — Mount Calpe. — Osseous breccia. — St. Roque. — Algesiras. — Tarifa. — Observations relative to Natural History. — The Strait of Gibraltar, and the currents in it. — Notes: — List of animals and plants found about Gibraltar and Algesiras.

Chapter IV

Voyage from Gibraltar to Madeira, and thence across the Atlantic Ocean, to Rio de Janeiro. Page 81—130. CONTENTS. XVII Passage through the Straits of Gibraltar. — The Atlantic Ocean. — Sea-sickness. — Arrival at Madeira, and stay in that island. — A description of the island with respect to Natural History. — Voyage past the Canary Islands. — Observations on Natural Philosophy and Natural History, relative to the winds, the temperature of the air, of the water at and below the surface, to the barometer, the areometer, the hygrometer, the electrometer, the variation of the needle, the currents, the lightnings, &c. — The Atlantic Ocean to the Tropic of Cancer, from that to the Equator, and thence to Rio de Janeiro. — Phosphorescence. — Flying fish, tunny fish, sharks, sea-fowl, mollusca, &c. — Natural and Mathematical Equator. — Fear of pirates. — Feelings on passing the Equator. — A day be tween the tropics. — - Communication with a vessel. — The coast of Brazil. — The Ilhas Abrolhos. — Rocks and shoals. — Trinidad. — Perilous situation of the crew of a French vessel. — Arrival. — The harbour of Rio de Janeiro.

Notes : — The dyer's lichen. — The vegetation of the islands of Canaria and Madeira. — Animals near the equator. — Equatorial limits of the north-east and south east trade winds. a VOL. I. contents.

Book II. Chapter

I. Stay in Rio de Janeiro. Page 131—205. Description of the city. — Population. — Influence of the residence of the court. — Library. — The press. -J- Schools. — Foundation of a chirurgical school. — Great want of a university. — Academy of arts. — The climate. — The mode of living of the people. — Character of diseases. — Hospitals. ■ — The public promenade. — Slave trade. — Commerce. — Imports and exports of the capital, and the interior. — The bank. — Money. — View of the duties of customs in Brazil, and of the exportation from Rio de Janeiro. — Notes: — A royal passport. — Duties of cus toms, &c.

CHAPTER II.

Excursions in the environs of Rio de Janeiro. Page 206 — 268. Natural history of the environs. — The aqueduct of Caryoca. — Noble prospect from Mount Corcovado. — Tijuca. — Lake Camorim. — The coffee plantation of Dr. Lesesne. — Lagoa de Rodrigo Freitas. — Botanic garden. — Tea plantation. — Gunpowder manufactory. — Islands in the Bay of Rio de Janeiro. — Porto de Estrella, on the high road to Minas Geraes. — Stay at Mandiocca, the country-seat of Mr. Von Langsdorf. — Visit to the Serra CONTENTS. XIX dos Orgaos. — Description of the forest, of die plants, and animals Rocks, their formation. — Way over the Serra to Corrego Seco, and as far as the passage of the river Paraiba. — Agriculture, and the obstacles to it. — Con siderations and counsels for European settlers — The weather at Rio. — Preparations for the journey into the interior. — The arrival of Her Imperial Highness the Princess Royal of Brazil.

CHAPTER III.

Journey from Rio de Janeiro, to the city of S. Paulo. - - - - - Page 269—327- Departure to Campinho, and S. Cruz, the estate of the Prince Regent. — Chinese settlers. — Taguahy. — Last view of the sea-coast from the Serra do Mar. — Retire — Fazenda dos Negros. — Bananal. — S. Anna das Areas, and the Indians there. — Tacasava. — Lorena. — The Serra de Mantequeira. — Beginning of the grassy Campos. — Rio Paraiba. — Guarantingueta. ; — Pendam onhangaba. — The different forms of vegetation. — Tau bate, and its inhabitants, the first discoverers of the gold mines. — Frequency of goitres, especially in the women. — Causes and cure of them. — Jacarehy. — Aldea da Escada. — Indians there. — Description of the Cafusos descendants of Indians and Negroes, with natural perukes a foot high. — Mogy das Cruces.

IN* THE FIRST VOLUME. VILLA VELHA Frontispiece. A village consisting of scattered houses, a league to the south-west of the Villa do Rio de Contas in the interior of the capitania of Bahia. The grotesque mica-slate mountain, Serra do Itio de Contas, or de Brumado, forms the back-ground of this luxuriant landscape. In the foreground are palms, calabash and gum anime trees [Carica, Papaja, and Hymenea Courbaril); and negro slaves are employed in gathering cotton. A BOTOCUDO and A COROADO Tofacepage 143. We are obliged to His Serene Highness Prince Maximilian of Neuwied for this portrait of a Botocudo. The Coroado is the portrait of our attendant, Custodio, who accompanied us on a great part of our journey through the interior. See Vol. II. page 264. MANDIOCCA Tofacepage 23%. The farm of M. Von Langsdorff at the foot of the Serra de Estrella, the continuation of the Serra dos Orgaos ; on the north side of the bay of Rio de Janeiro, and on the road to Villa Rica, the capital of the capitania of Minas Geraes.

A MAMELUCA and A CAFUSA To face page 316 The Mameluca is a woman of the lowest class in the province of S. Paulo, descended from a father of the European, and a mother of the American race. The goitre is frequent in many parts of this province, and is almost considered as an ornament. The Cafusa is likewise a female ofthe lower class in the province of S. Paulo. The Cafusos are a middle race, between the American and the Negro. The smooth hair of the former and the wool of the latter are modified in their mixed descendants into a high curly kind of peruke. The custom of smoking is general in this province, especially among the lower classes. See page 324.

BOOK I. CHAPTER

I. PREPARATIONS FOR THE VOYAGE. DEPARTURE FROM MUNICH J JOURNEY BY WAY OF VIENNA TO TRIEST. America, which was unknown to us till within a few centuries, has, from the time of its discovery, been the object of the admiration and the regard of Europe. The advantages of its situation, the fertility and diversified riches of its soil, held out equal attractions to the European colonist and merchant, and to the scientific inquirer. This new country was rapidly peopled, and unfolded to our view, by the active intercourse with the mother country, and by the exertions of the learned men, who, animated by a laudable emulation, endea- VOL. I. b voured to make themselves acquainted with it by extensive journeys into the interior. In this re spect we are infinitely indebted to many enter prising travellers of former times, but more par ticularly to those of the last half century, through whose immortal labours America has been more successfully explored than any ofthe continents of the Old World, Europe alone excepted.

Notwith standing, however, the great advances we have made in our acquaintance with this part of the world, it still offers so wide a field for research and discovery as would greatly extend the sphere of human knowledge. This observation is peculiarly applicable to Brazil, the heart of this new conti nent ; and which, although it is the most beautiful, and most richly endowed portion, has been hither to but thinly peopled and imperfectly known. His Majesty the King of Bavaria, the generous patron ofthe sciences, Sensible of the advantages which would accrue to them, and to the interests of mankind in general, from a more accurate know ledge of America, directed the Academy of Sciences at Munich, about the end of the year 1815, to draw up, and lay before him, a plan for a literary tour into the interior .of South America.

Among others selected for this expedition, were the two academicians, authors of the present narrative, Dr. Spix for zoology*, and Dr. Martius for botany. The original plan was, to proceed from Buenos Ayres, by land, to Chili ; thence to travel northwards to Quito ; and to return by way of Carraccas or Mexico to Europe. Some difficulties, however, presented themselves, which obliged His Majesty's government to defer the execution of this project. But His Majesty's wish for the fitting out of this expedition being again re vived, the marriage of Her Imperial Highness Caroline Josepha Leopoldina, Archduchess of Aus tria, with His Royal Highness Don Pedro D'Al cantara, Crown Prince of Portugal, Algarve, and Brazil, presented the most favourable opportunity for gratifying it. At the time of the conclusion of this alliance, which was to unite Europe more closely with the New World, His Majesty the King of Bavaria was at Vienna in person ; and the Im perial Court having resohed to send some scientific men to Brazil, in the suite of the august bride, the king made arrangements for some members of his academy to accompany the Austrian expedition, with the same views towards the advancement of knowledge.

The flattering choice fell upon us ; and we accordingly received on the 28th of Janu ary, 1817, directions to repair, without loss of time, to Vienna, and thence to Triest ; there to embark on board the frigates, which were already equipped for their voyage, to Rio de Janeiro, The Royal Academy of Sciences, at the same time, received orders to furnish us with instructions, not only respecting the principal departments with which we were specially charged, but also, generally, relative b to all that might fall within the sphere of our observations and researches, and to provide us with those instruments, the judicious employment of which, during the course of the expedition, might be productive of results particularly interesting to science. In consequence of these commands, the travellers were recommended to direct their chief attention towards enriching the two departments of zoology and botany, and at the same time to keep in view the other branches of science, as far as time and circumstances should allow.

Dr. Spix, as zoologist, engaged to make the whole animal kingdom the object of his observations and labours. With this view he had to observe the inhabitants, whether aborigines or colonists ; to remark the different effects of climate upon them ; their physical and intellectual powers, &c. : the external and internal conformation of all the indigenous animals ; their habits and instincts, and the geographical limits in which they are found ; their migrations : and, lastly, to investigate the fossil remains of animals, those most authentic records ofthe past, and most convincing proofs of the gradual development of the creation. Dr. Martius, as botanist, undertook to explore, in its whole extent, the vegetable kingdom of the tropics. Besides the study of the botanical families peculiar to the country, he was particularly to examine those forms which, by their affinity or identity with those of other countries, lead to conclusions respecting their original country, and their gradual diffusion over the surface of the globe.

He proposed connecting these researches with climatic and geognostic observations ; and to this end to extend them to the most insisnificant members of the vegetable kingdom, such as mosses, lichens, and fungi. He was likewise to observe the changes which both the native and exotic plants undergo, when exposed to certain external influences ; and to investigate the history of the soil, and the method of cultivation there in use. An examination of the internal structure, and of the development of tropical plants, promised interesting solutions of the laws of vegetable life in general, as the observation of any traces that should be discovered of an earlier vegetation, now extinct, might afford materials for the foundation of a geognostic theory. Lastly, he conceived he should promote the object of the mission by an accurate investigation of the Brazilian materia medica, drawn from the vegetable kingdom, as well as of all other vegetable substances, the use of which might be interesting to arts and manufactures, and by carefully indicating the manner in which they are employed in their native country.

But besides the observations and researches in the departments peculiar to each professor, in which reciprocal assistance and support were presupposed, they were particularly enjoined to complete, as far as possible, the collections of the academy, by sendb ing specimens of all Ihe natural productions ofthe several kingdoms, as the best certificate of the observations made. In addition to these instructions, each particular branch of study at the university had its peculiar claims upon the industry and observation of the travellers. With respect to mineralogy, they were instructed accurately to observe the geognostic relations in which the different formations ofthe mountain masses in general stand to each other ; their succession, magnitude, thickness, and particularly their dip ; and, farther, to examine the hitherto problematical production of gold, of diamonds, and other precious stones, as well as of all the more important fossils.

In physics, they were to observe the declination and inclination of the magnetic needle ; its daily variation ; the pheno mena of electricity, according to the several de grees of latitude and longitude ; the transparency and colour, the phosphorescence, temperature, and saltness ofthe sea in different regions, and at various depths ; the temperature of the atmosphere ; the phenomenon of the Fata Morgana; the mean temperature and the differences of climate in vari ous parts of the continent ; the periodical oscillation of the barometer ; the different elevations of the ground ; the traces of the gradual receding or advancing of the sea, on the coasts ; the currents, the local anomalies in the tides ; the electricity of the fish, &c. The historical and philosophic-philo logical classes of the university recommended attention to the different languages, national peculiarities, religious and historical traditions, ancient and modern monuments; such as writings, coins, idols, and, in general, whatever might throw light on the state of society, and the history both of the aboriginal and other inhabitants of Brazil, or which concerned the topography and geography of that hitherto so imperfectly known country.

In order to satisfy, to the utmost of their power, these duties and wishes, the two travellers exerted them selves to provide every requisite for so great an enterprise, and to make, without loss of time, the necessary preparations. After everything possible was got ready, and the books, instruments, medicine chest, and other travelling equipage, sent off direct to Triest, they set out from Munich on the 6th of February, 1817, for Vienna. In this imperial capital, where they arrived on the 10th of February, they were favoured with the most active and generous support, by His Highness Prince Metternich, and by His Ex cellency Baron Von Stainlein, the Bavarian am bassador, in the further preparations, and in collecting what was necessary to accomplish the scientific objects proposed by the enlightened sovereigns.

M. Von Schreibers, director of the Imperial Museum of Natural History, — as honour ably distinguished in the learned world by his writings, as amiable in private life, to whom the organization of the Austrian scientific expedition b to Brazil was confided, — had the goodness immedi ately to introduce them to the learned gentlemen selected by the Austrian government, who were to be their fellow travellers. Professor Mikan, from Prague, was appointed for the departments of botany and entomology ; Mr. Pohl, M. D., for mineralogy and botany ; Mr. Natterer, assistant in the Imperial Museum of Natural History, for zoo logy ; Mr. Th. Ender, to be landscape painter ; Mr. Buchberger, botanical painter ; and M. H. Schott, son of the worthy superintendent of the University Garden, to be gardener ; the two last were assigned as assistants to professor Mikan : there were be sides with the company a huntsman and a working miner.

Rejoiced at the acquaintance with our future companions, we longed for orders to set out to gether for Triest. But as several circumstances left it doubtful when the two Austrian frigates would sail, we employed the time that we had re maining, partly in further preparations for the voyage, especially in procuring maps and other things which could not be purchased in the New World, or only at a very great expence, and partly in visiting the learned men residing in the capital. Among these were the venerable Baron Von Jacquin, the Nestor of German botanists (since unfortunately dead), who had himself passed many years in the West India islands, and on the Terra Firma, with such great advantage to science, and whose counsels were extremely welcome to us ; his worthy son ; Messrs. Prohaska, Trattinik, Host, Por tenschlag, Bredemeyer, Prechtl, Meissner, &c. ; all of whom testified great interest in our enterprise.

But what particularly animated our courage and en thusiasm was the personal acquaintance ofVM. Fer dinand Bauer, the painter, who had accompanied Captain Flinders on his voyage in the South Sea and to New Holland, and was then actually en gaged in pourtraying the strange forms of plants and animals of those remote regions. We left Vienna on the 4th of March to repair to Triest. At Gratz we visited the Johanneum, founded by His Imperial Highness the Archduke John of Austria. This excellent institution is chiefly designed for the propagation of practical knowledge in the departments of natural history and the arts, and is a noble monument of the esteem of its princely founder for the sciences. On this occasion we became acquainted with the professors Chrys. V. Vest and M. Fr. Mohs, and if our time had permitted, would willingly have explored the beautiful environs of the capital of Styria, in company with those able enquirers ; but circumstances were imperious, and we hastened away to visit the quicksilver mines of Idria.

We thought it would be very interesting to obtain by personal inspection, a knowledge of those mines, the produce of which must prove of incalculable benefit to Brazil, rich as it is in gold, when the importance of amalgamation shall be understood there as well as it is in Peru and Mexico. From Laibach, the residence of the aged and venerable Baron Von Zoys, who is still ardent in the study of natural history, and in possession of an admirable collection of the minerals of the country, we proceeded to Idria, which lies two posts to the side of the high road. The way, after many windings, leads into an extremely deep valley, in which the little town is situated. We passed some days there, in examining the curious formation of the slate clay, which forms an ex tensive bed in compact limestone, of the rich hepatic mercurial ores, especially the coral ore, which represents concentric lamellar, roundish con cretions, resembling petrified bivalves, and, lastly, of the extensive smelting-houses, which for many years have furnished annually three thousand quintals of quicksdver.