plain, through which flow the Amazon and its tributaries. The shores of the east coast are generally low, but gradually rise to the mountainous region which runs parallel to the coast, from 20 to 150 miles inland.

Minor ranges intersect the other parts of the empire, enclosing tracts, some elevated, and others low-lying plains. Along the watercourses are numerous dense and almost impenetrable forests.

Soil, Climate, etc.-The soil is generally fertile, and vegetation exceedingly luxuriant. The climate may be characterized as mild and agreeable, except in the north. In Brazil, as in all other regions south of the equator, the order of the seasons is the reverse of ours. December, January and February are their hottest months. forests abound with useful and ornamental woods.

The

The banana forms the principal part of the food of the Indians, and the flour of the Cassava root is much used by the less wealthy classes. Other tropical fruits and plants are abundant.

The forests swarm with wild animals, and a great variety of birds of the richest plumage; the plains afford pasturage for numerous herds of wild cattle. The diamond mines of Brazil are exceedingly valuable.

Inhabitants, etc.-The inhabitants consist of Whites, chiefly of Portuguese descent; Negroes, mixed races, and several savage tribes of native Indians. The cultivation of the soil, and the labor in the mines, are performed by the negro slaves.

Traveling Facilities.-All goods are transported, either on the backs of mules, or horses, as scarcely any part of the empire is passable for carriages.

Manufactures and Exports.-Manufactures are yet in their infancy.

The exports are principally sugar, coffee and cotton; besides which, are hides, horns, tallow, jerked beef, cabinet and dyewoods, drugs, gold and diamonds.

Cities.-RIO JANEIRO, the capital city, situated on the west side of the bay, or harbor of Rio, is the principal seat of the foreign commerce of the empire.

The houses are generally built of granite, and the streets intersect each other at right angles, save where the beach, or the declivities of the hills forbid.

Fountains, supplied by means of a magnificent aqueduct, which conducts the water from the adjacent mountains, are numerous. The environs of the city are exceedingly picturesque and beautiful.

PARA, situated on the right bank of the Para, carries on considerable trade in exporting cocoa, caoutchouc, or India rubber, isinglass, rice and drugs.

PERNAMBUCO, called also RECIFE, is a commercial city of considerable importance.

BANIA, a large and flourishing commercial city of Brazil, lies on the east side of the Bay of All Saints.

LESSON LXXXV.

THE REPUBLIC OF URUGUAY.

Area in sq. miles, 70,000. Population, 250,000.

Geographical Position.-Uruguay, or Banda Oriental, lies north-east of the estuary of the Rio de la Plata, and extends from the Uruguay River to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Surface. Along the coast it is level, and almost destitute of trees; in the centre mountainous, and the rest of the territory undulating.

Soil, Climate, etc.-The soil is for the most part good, and the climate, though damp, is temperate and salubrious. Cattle and horses form the wealth of the inhabitants. Only a sufficient amount of agricultural produce is raised for home consumption.

Inhabitants.-The majority of the inhabitants are Indians; some civilized, and others in a savage state.

Traveling Facilities.-These are few, and of a very inferior order. Manufactures and Exports.-Manufactures are unimportant.

exports are hides, beef, butter, hair and feathers.

The

Towns.-MONTE-VIDEO, the capital, has a good port on the left side of the estuary of the La Plata, about 100 miles distant from Buenos Ayres, and is the chief city of the republic.

MALDONADO, situated on the same estuary, about 60 miles east of the capital, is a well fortified seaport town.

LA PLATA, OR THE ARGENTINE
REPUBLIC.

Area in sq. miles, 920,000. Pop., 754,000.

Geographical Position.-La Plata lies south of Bolivia, and north of Patagonia.

Surface. In the north and west it is mountainous; and the central and southern parts are vast pampas, much resembling the prairies of Western North America. Soil, Climate, etc.-The soil is generally good, but not a thousandth part of the land is under cultivation. In the mountainous regions, and on the coast, the climate is mild. Very destructive winds, or hurricanes, sometimes sweep over the pampas.

Fruits and plants common to both the temperate and tropica climes are here produced; but cattle, horses, mules, and the articles of traffic obtained from them, are the chief dependence.

Inhabitants, ete.-The population mainly consists of Spaniards, Creoles, native Indians and Negroes.

The guachos, or shepherds of the pampas, lead a wandering life, hunting wild cattle. They take them by means of a lasso, which they manage with great dexterity; and woe be to the animal that comes within reach of the lasso, for his career is at an end.

Traveling Facilities.-The roads are generally better than in most parts of South America. The rivers of La Plata afford immense facilities for transportation, etc., to which attention has been turned of late.

Manufactures and Exports.-Manufactures are few, consisting chiefly of coarse woolen stuffs, leather, and turned wares. Hides, horns, horsehair, wool, ostrich feathers and salted meats, are among the leading articles of export.

Cities.-BUENOS AYRES, the capital, is situated on the south-west side of the Rio de la Plata (which is here 36 miles wide), about 150 miles from its mouth. The city is built with great regularity, taste and neatness, and carries on an extensive trade with the United States and Great Britain.

Ships drawing 16 feet water cannot approach the city, the harbor being obstructed by sand-banks. They anchor about seven miles distant, and load and unload by means of lighters.

MENDOZA, situated on a high plain, at the foot of the Andes, is the entrepôt for the trade between Chili and La Plata.

SALTA, located on a small branch of the Salado, is noted for its trade in hides and mules.

PATAGONIA.

Area in square miles, 300,000. Population, 120,000.

Geographical Position.-Patagonia embraces all the southern extremity of South America south of Chili and La Plata.

Surface. The western part is traversed by the Andes, and the eastern consists of a succession of terraces.

interior, that but little idea Along the east coast it is soil is adapted to wheat

Soil, Climate, etc.-So little is known of the can be formed as to the nature of the soil. sterile, and on and near the Rio Negro, the and other grains. The climate is generally cold.

Water-fowl and seals, in great numbers, frequent the rocky shores Inhabitants. The country is thinly inhabited by Indian tribes, who are as barbarous as the country is desolate. They lead a nomadic life; consequently, their habitations are small and movable, consisting merely of a framework of stakes covered with the skins of animals.

LESSON LXXXVI.

THE REPUBLIC OF CHILI. Area in sq. miles, 84,000. Pop., 1,209,000. Geographical Position.-Chili is in the western part of South America, and extends from the Desert of Atacama on the north to Patagonia on the south, and from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean.

Surface. In the north, the land rises in successive terraces from the coast; in the south, the branches of the Andes cross the country, forming numerous valleys, and terminate abruptly at the coast; in the middle part of Chili, the land is generally level.

The sea-coast of Chili, compared with the entire surface, is immense, and affords several good harbors.

Soil, Climate, etc.-The soil of the midland vales is rich; in other parts it is sandy and dry. The climate is temperate and healthy. The four seasons here occur as in the United States, only in reversed order. In some parts of Northern Chili, years pass without rain's falling, but dews are frequent and heavy. Earthquakes often occur, and volcanoes are numerous.

Indian corn, wheat, and other grains, are extensively cultivated. The figs and olives of Chili are said to be of superior flavor, and the grape is cultivated with great success. Minerals are abundant-silver and copper are the most profitable. Large quantities of the latter ore are annually shipped to Swansea, in Wales, and a great amount is sent to the United States.

Inhabitants, etc.-The inhabitants are chiefly Spaniards, Mestizoes and Indians. Agriculture and mining form the leading pursuits.

Traveling Facilities.-These are, as yet, few and imperfect. A rail