ARRAYAS TO SAN ROMÃO. Departure from Arrayas—Reasons for preferring the route along the Serra Geral—Passes Gamelleira—Bonita—Reaches San Domingo—San João—San Bernardo—Curious Fact respecting the Rio San Bernardo—Passes Boa Vista—Country consists of very elevated table-lands—Its Natural Productions—Arrives at Capella da Posse—San Pedro—San Antonio—Dôres—Riachão—Animals greatly tormented by large Bats—Habits of these Vampires—Reaches San Vidal—Flight of Locusts—Passes Nossa Senhora d’Abbadia—Campinhas—Pasquada—San Francisco—Crosses River Carynhenha and enters the province of Minas Geräes—Country described—Habits of the great Ant-eater—Passes Capão de Casca—Descent of the Serra das Araras—Reaches San Josè—Rio Claro—Boquerão—Santa Maria—Espigão—Taboca—San Miguel—Crosses River Urucuya—Passes Riachão—Arrives at San Romão—Town described—Its Population—Habits of the People—Rio de San Francisco—Description of the different varieties of the Salmon tribe found in it 286 CHAPTER XII. SAN ROMÃO TO THE DIAMOND DISTRICT. Leaves San Romão—Passes Guaribas—Passagem—Geräes Velhas—Espigão—Caisára—Cabeceira—Arrives at the Villa de Formigas—Town described—Account of the impostor Douville—Country around rich in Botanical products—Passes Viados—Arrives at the Arraial de Bomfim—Reaches San Elo—Sitio—Comes to a Gold Working called Lavrinha—Crosses the River Inhacica—Reaches As Vargems—Registo do Rio Inhahy—Bassoras on the River Jiquitinhonha—Examines a Diamond Mine—Formation in which the Diamond is found—Mode of working it—Arrives at the Arraial de Mendanha—Town described—Ascends the Serra de Mendanha—Reaches Duas Pontes—Arrives at the Cidade Diamantina, formerly the Arraial de Tijuco, the Capital of the Diamond District—Town situated on side of hill—Description of its Population—Their mode of Dress—Its cold Temperature—Productions of its Neighbourhood—Mining for Diamonds, formerly a privileged Monopoly, now open to all—Character of Miners—Extent of Diamond Mines—Privilege of Slaves there employed—Climate very healthy—Women very handsome—Complaints incident to its Climate—Loyalty shown by its Inhabitants—Fatality among Horses 320 CHAPTER XIII. CIDADE DIAMANTINA TO OURO PRETO.