MINERALOGY.--Gold, diamonds, crystals, granite, calcareous stone, minerals of iron, mineral salt, a diversity of argils, &c. The largest fifth on gold here was of one hundred and sixty-nine thousand and eighty oitavas, in 1753, and the smallest of eleven thousand eight hundred and ninety-three, in 1807. This diminution arises from not working into the mountains, which, no doubt, abound with this metal. ZOOLOGY.--This province abounds in cattle. Goats are few in number, and almost of no utility. Sheep are somewhat more numerous; little advantage is, however, derived from their wool, which might be easily rendered subservient to some branches of industry. Very few more hogs are bred than what are for the consumption of the country. Horses are also bred; those of Parannan are esteemed the best. Deer are every where numerous, and their skins furnish a branch of commerce. The ounce, anta, the wild hog, wolf, monkey, hare, _tamandua_, _cotia_, _quati_, _paca_, with many other species of quadrupeds, common in the adjacent provinces, are here well known and much pursued by the hunter. Some are esteemed for the flesh, some for the skin, and others for both. Partridges and the emu ostrich are met with upon the plains. The _mutun_ bird inhabits the wood, and by its song invites the fatal attacks of the hunter. The _tucano_, the torquaze pigeon, the _aracuan_, the _araponga_, and the _jacu_, are numerous. A great part of those creatures are devoured in a raw state by the Indians, without salt or any kind of seasoning. PHYTOLOGY.--There are a variety of medicinal plants, divers sorts of palm trees; the large _jatuba_ affords gum copal. The Brazil wood, and similar valuable timber, is here of no utility, in consequence of the great distance of any maritime town. The tobacco plant is cultivated with great advantage where the soil is substantial. From the fruit of the _mamona_ tree is extracted oil for lights. The cotton tree prospers in many parts, and its wool constitutes a branch of commerce, which is beginning to be advantageous to the population. The sugar cane is cultivated in many districts, and employs various engenhos; the greater part of its juice is converted into spirit, and some sugar, called _rapaduras_. The flour of mandioca, Indian corn, and legumes, are the most abundant productions of agriculture. The fruit of the _araca_, the pine-apple, the _mangaba_, the _goyaba_, the banana, _jabuticaba_, the _ambuo_, are common, and of various qualities. Oranges and water-melons are excellent. Quinces are small and insipid; but a large quantity of _doce_, or preserves, is here made of them. The vine trees grow to a remarkable size in some districts, and produce fruit abundantly twice a year. Wine is made of the grapes in the dry season, which is yet very indifferent; such as are produced in the winter season serve for vinegar, and afford a good substitute for that of Europe.