The arraial of St. Domingos do Araxa, in a state of mediocrity, modernly erected into the head of the julgado, is situated in a plain traversed by a small stream, and is thirty miles distant from the boundary, and twenty from the river Quebr’ Anzoes, (Hook Breaker.) The wells of excellent water, which save the breeders from the expense of purchasing salt for the cattle, and the considerable portions of fertile land in which various branches of agriculture will flourish, have already invited many hundred families to remove their establishments here, and which will probably in a few years render this parish the most populous one in the province. They already manufacture cotton cloth, and are commencing upon woollens. Large quantities of hogs and cattle are bred. The arraial of Desemboque, head of the julgado, has a church of Our Lady of Desterro, and is situated upon the left margin of the river Velhas, about thirty-five miles distant from the boundary of Minas Geraes. Its inhabitants breed cattle, and cultivate an abundance of the necessaries of life. In the year 1812, the arraial of St. Antonio and St. Sebastiao were commenced, with a hermitage dedicated to those saints, near the channel of the Lage, two miles distant from the road of St. Paulo to the east, and one from the left margin of the Uberava Falso. The people who inhabit it cultivate feijao, Indian corn, rice, and cotton, with the fruits and hortulans of the country, and breed cattle. CHAP. XII. PROVINCE OF MINAS GERAES. _Boundaries--Extent--Climate--Discoverers of its Mines--Mountains--Rivers--Mineralogy--Zoology--Phytology-- Exports--Comarcas and Towns.--Comarca of Villa Rica--Limits--Mountains--Rivers--Capital--Povoações.--Comarca of Rio das Mortes--Limits--Mountains--Rivers--Povoações.--Comarca of Sabara--Limits--Mountains--Rivers--Lakes--Povoações.--Comarca of Serro Frio--Limits--Rich in Diamonds--Mountains--Rivers-- Povoações--Diamond District--Tijuco--Seat of Diamond Junta._