Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-06-13
PRODUCTIONS OF BRAzL.
written for the Telegraph.


ful. Twelve months of Summer As you
ride through the country and see the acacia
with Its feathery leaves and scarlet blos-
SONS which grow with wonderful luxuri-
ance, you are delighted. The ''air plant"
is a great wonder, far up the branches Of
Wlde-spreading trees you observe this plant
thriving without soil, existing upon ar
and water 1t can be removed and hung
in a drawing room, and beautify home
without the presence Of soil; many are ex-
ported to grace homes Of the North. The
variety Of flowers is wonderful. The trees
are most exquisite. There are great veg
etable productions. The beautiful mirit
palm, the cabbage palm, the cocoa nut, the
cinnamon, the bread fruit tree, and rich
green vines Of black pepper. Il is the
country Of rice, of sarsaparilla, Of India
rubber, balsam, eopaiba, gum eOpal. ami
NAL and vegetable wax cocoa, Brazilian
nutmegs, TOnka beans, ginger, black pep-
per, arrow root, dyes Of the gayest eoiors.
drugs, OF rare virtue, variegated cabinet
woods OF the finest grain, and susceptible
OF the highest polish. Far up among the
mountains, in the interior, is found the
Marapanima or Turke wood, specimens Of
which are often made into canes. sent
some to friends who value them very much.
1t IS the heart Of tree, and is never more
than few inches in diameter. The onlv
person who deals in it is Friar, who OBJ
talns it from some Indian tribe. in the
course Of his mission: a few sticks at
time IS sent to Para where it is in great de-
mand for canes, and other light articles.
The mango and the Ochee are beautiful
trees, greatly resembling each other. Their
leaves are long and narrow, ofadark. glossy
green. The mango is considered a verv
fine frUlt-the size Of large lemon and Of
a green color. Beneath the skin is vel
low pulp which surrounds a large stone.
There is tree bearing another delicious
fruit called the Alligator pear or Mangabar.
It IS shaped like a crooked squash, Of re-
duced size. 1t is eaten with wine and su-
gar. There IS a very attractive tree which
produces the Brazil nut called here the
eastanhas. When these nuts are fresh,
they resemble in taste the cocoa nut. They
are largely exported from Para, and be-
sides being delicious for eating, are extern
siVely used in the manufacture of sperm
candles. Next, in my estimation of beau
ty, to the castanha, is the calabash orcuva.
Directly from its bark Of the trunk. or
branches, without intervening stems, grow
the gourds, a bright green color, often five
or six inches in diameter, giving the tree a
singular appearance. The small gourds are
cut IN half, the pulp taken out, then the
shell diminished by seraping. This is then
dried and painted inside and out by the In
dians, and are very pretty, and are exten-
sively used for drinking cups. Orange
trees are to be seen everywhere, and at
every season are covered with fruit of great
size and delicious sweetness. In this eli
mate they are more of a necessity than
luxury. Lines too, are abundant, = they
resemble the orange tree but are smaller,
Cocoa palms are abundant, and attract
your attention on account Of their long,
feather-like leaves, and the large cluster Of
their delicious fruit clustering around their
tops The nuts are eaten when young,
and their taste Is decidedly improved. The
India rubber is one Of the most valuable
trees-it is one Of PaIa's greatest exports.
But it would take volume to describe the
great variety and value Of the trees Of this
country. must not forget to mention the
precious medicinal guarana plant, which
the people Of the interior consider Of such
value that in GaYaz and MattO Crosse they
purchase with its weight in gold, for use
against the putrid fevers which rage at GER
tain seasons of the year. The Mahue's In
dians alone know how to use and mOnOpO-
lie it.
Birds of every variety of plumage and
song adorn the forests, and / am sure en-
hanee natures loYeliness. Animals com
mon to tropical climes are abundant.
Marajo is large island situated at the
mouth of the Amazon river and Is noted
for the amount Of cattle raised there.
Beeyes, in great quantities, go from this
island to the city Of Para in small vessels
fitted for the purpose. The price Of beef is
regulated by law, and is quite reasonable.
PARA
Is a beautiful city situated on a low elbow
of land at the junction of the river Guiana
with the Para river. 1t is about eighty
miles from the sea, containing at least
thirty thousand inhabitants. Sugar, cot
ton, and rice are exported from here in
small quantities. The most Important ex-
ports are India rubber and cocoa. There
is large commerce here, on account Of the
trade Of the great Amazon valley. This
will be greatly increased when the Mamore
Railroad is completed, bringing the rieh
productions from Bolivia.
PERNANBUCO.
Is lovely city by the sea, styled BY many
the Venice of Brazil, on account Of the
rivers winding through it. 1t contains one
hundred and twenty-siX thousand inhabi-
tants. It is fine city with great natural
advantages, and has a large commerce.
Sugar is the greatest export. Many grum-
blers have called this city the yellow fever
port. This is unjust-an exaggeratiOn.
Fever has been there. occasionally but to no
great extent. The reports Of this epidemic
h8Ye always been misrepreSented. 1t is a
beautiful, fOurishing city, and not un-
healthy.
BAHIA
Is beautiful seaport city, and has among
OtEer exports diamond trade. Diamonds
u will mention il connection with one Of
their market toWns-are found a great dis
tance from Bahia, in the rich province Of
MattO Crosse. There they were first dis
covered in quantities in the little river Of
AurO. They are principally found near
the city Of DiamantinO. Cuiaba is the
chief town Of Matto Crosse. Gold and
diamonds are united in this country, and
are found in the many water courses which
furrOW the entire region. Some Of the
rivers appear exhausted, as the rivers Di-
amantino, Auro and Paraguay, but the
Santa Anna is undlminised in richness.
They declare that stones taken from this
river are more beautiful than those taken
from other diamond mines, and, it is said,
q good Judge Of these jewels distinguishes
the difference. Bahia exports rum and
tobacco which are two of the principal pro
ducts Of the province. At one time there
was here q considerable slave traffic, but
that is past Diamonds, since the fnsn-
eial crisis in the United States, NAV be
purchased as cheap il not cheaper there
than in Brazil. OF course this is temPOr-
AIRY, owing to the depression Of our times,
RIO DE JASEIRO.
This beautiful city is the capital Of ths
empire Of Brazil. It is about eight hun-
dred miles from Bahia-theEs is no large
town between these two cities on ths coast.
His Imperial Majesty, Dom Pedro, makes
this city his home, and has done much 70
improve and beautify it. II IS the largest
city Of Brazil, with fine natural advantages.
Il contains several hundred thousand in-
habitants. is we'll laid out, with elegant
publio and private residences. The palace
IS a grand building, and the public squares
are lovely. This city has large home as
well as foreign trade. Coffee is its chief
export. His Majesty has done much 70
improve it. He is well qualified, being
scholar and an accomplished gentleman,
studying to enhance the best interests OF
his country, and willing to make any per
sonal sacrifice for the welfare OF his sub
jeets. During his wise and just admins
tratiOn Brazil has made great progress ln
the way Of civilization. There hsS been
much to contend with-pFincipally ths
crippled state Of her finances, the extent