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page 307 ---As Taibas---Christmas eve on the road---geology---

The women wear long wide frock-coats of cloth, and round hats. All those that passed us upon mules showed themselves to be admirable riders, especially in the speed with which they endeavoured to avoid the thunderstorms which threatened them on all sides. Our slowly moving train, on the contrary, was obliged to suffer three heavy showers to pass over it, and came, just as it was getting dark, to a wretched shed with a shop, called As Taibas, where we could scarcely find room for our baggage which was soaked through. It rained impetuously the whole night; and the frogs of the neighbouring marshes, being quite in their element, croaked in tiresome unison. Though the place was anything but agreeable, yet, as it secured us from the fury of the elements, we soon became cheerful and in good spirits. Recalling pleasing recollections, we compared the sufferings of this Christmas-eve in Brazil, with the pleasures with which it is usually accompanied in civilized Europe, and even contrived to see them in an agreeable light.

Between Nossa Senhora Apparecida and As Taibas, large blocks of a pretty fine-grained red granite, resembling that on Serra do Mar, stand out. They are considerably rounded off by attrition, and put us in mind of the masses of rock which are found here and there in the north of Germany, in the valley of the Po in Italy, between the principal chain of the Alps and Mount Jura in Switzerland, &etc.

page 308 ---Pindamhongaba---rainy season---

Paraiba river valley

It is probable that a great part of the valley, through which the Paraiba now flows, was connected with the sea, and that these rocks derived their present form and situation from violent overflowings and currents of that element. There are, besides, many traces in the valley of the Paraiba that it has often changed its bed.

On Christmas-day we continued our journey in the direction from S. S.W. to Pindamhongaba, five leagues [15 miles] from Guaratinguetá. The three streams of Parapitinga, Agua Preta, and Ribeirão da Vila, were so much swelled, that our collections ran great risk in the passage over them. The rain continued without ceasing to pour down in torrents; and the whole valley was almost always enveloped in thick fog. We had, therefore, neither inclination nor opportunity accurately to examine this woody and well-watered district. Travelling in tropical countries during the rainy season, besides many other dangers and inconveniences, has the double vexation, that the traveller finds great difficulty in observing the environs; and his books, instruments, and collections, can hardly be preserved from spoiling, by the greatest care and attention.