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page 311 ---Tabuleiro---Tabuleiro coberto---Taubate---

Tabuleiro coberto in Minas Gerais

This latter kind of wood is called in Brazil, "Tabuleiro", and when the trees grow so close together that their branches touch, "Tabuleiro coberto". Besides the single trees, rich-flowering myrtles, creeping banisteria, bushy erythroxylon, several kinds of the well-tasted guava (Psidium) grow here and there in thick groves (Carrasco Feixado), from among which a grotesque cactus now and then rises. This latter form, which is so peculiarly characteristic of America, is here less frequent than in the sultry deserts of Pernambuco, Ceará, and Caracas. Almost all the productions of the vegetable kingdom which we saw here were new to us; and our attention was constantly excited by these elegant forms of the campos, which strongly contrast with the massy and juicy natives of the forest, and rather resemble the delicate plants of the northern Alpine meadows.

Taubaté, which we reached late in the evening, is situated on a flat hill, three miles to the S.E. of Pindamhongaba. The eminence commands a view of a great part of the plain, through which little groves and bushes are scattered. The Franciscan convent, on the left of the road, surrounded by some rows of majestic palms, makes a favourable impression, and excites in the traveller the hope of finding a considerable place.

Franciscan Convent of Santa Clara, Taubate, province of Sao Paulo

page 312 ---gold rush---

In fact, Taubaté, which consists of one long principal street, with huts built closely together on each side, and some by-streets, is one of the most important towns in the whole province. In age, it rivals the capital. At the time when the thirst of gold incited a number of Paulistas to
In fact, Taubaté, which consists of one long principal street, with huts built closely together on each side, and some by-streets, is one of the most important towns in the whole province. In age, it rivals the capital. At the time when the thirst of gold incited a number of Paulistas to undertake dangerous and adventurous excursions through Minas and Goyaz, the inhabitants of Taubaté (Taubaténos) distinguished themselves.* On this account a government establishment for refining gold was founded there. The inhabitants of Taubate, however, were thereby engaged in violent competition and implacable feud with the neighbouring Paulistas (Piratininganos), so that whenever the two parties met in their excursions, sanguinary contests always ensued. This enmity is said still to continue in silence, though the inhabitants of Taubaté have now entirely renounced the occupation of gold-washing in other provinces, and follow agriculture and breeding of cattle in their own country, which is quite destitute of that precious metal. The women manufacture mats out of a large aristida and other species of grass growing in the neighbourhood, which are sent to Rio for sale.