Reasons for delaying journey into the Interior—Visits, meanwhile, different places in the vicinity of Crato—Crosses the Serra de Araripe—Reaches Cajazeira—Arrives at Barra do Jardim—Description of that Town and Neighbourhood—Meets with an interesting deposit of Fossil fishes—Geological character of the Country—Detects a very extensive range of Chalk formation—First discovery of such beds in South America—The accompanying formation described—This range of Mountains encircles the vast Plain comprising the Provinces of Piauhy and Maranham—Arrives at Maçapé—Great Religious Festival on Christmas Day—Meets with an accident—Visits also Novo Mundo—Discovers other deposits of Fossil Fishes near these places—Vegetable productions along the Taboleira—Different Tribes of uncivilized Indians in that Neighbourhood—Curious account of the fanatical sect of the Sebastianistas—Their extravagant belief—Commit human sacrifices—Their destruction and dispersion—Returns to Crato 150 CHAPTER VII. CRATO TO PIAUHY. Preparations for the Journey—Leaves Crato—Passes Guaribas—Reaches Brejo grande—Discovers more Fossil Fishes—Passes Olho d’Agoa do Inferno—Arrives at Poço de Cavallo—Crauatá—Cachoeira—Marmeleira—Rosario—Os defuntos—Lagoa—Varzea da Vaca—Angicas—Crosses the boundary line of the Province of Piauhy—Arrives at San Gonsalvo—Campos—Lagoa Comprida—Difficulties of the road—Reaches Corumatá—Canabrava—Arrives at Boa Esperança, a large Estate owned by an excellent Clergyman—Is now in the midst of the great Cattle Districts—Nature of the Country described—Marked into two kinds, Mimoso and Agreste—Passes Santa Anna das Mercês—San Antonio—Cachimbinho—Vegetation of the surrounding Country—Reaches Retiro—Buquerão—Canavieira—Crosses the River Canindé, arrives at Oeiras, the Capital of the Province of Piauhy 169 CHAPTER VIII. OEIRAS TO PARNAGUÁ.