. The earth and its inhabitants .. . HE geographical region draining south-westwards to the Parana presents a remarkable degree of physical uniformity, although divided into several political administrations, and although the zone of the waterparting is unequally distributed between Minas Geraes, Goyaz, and Matto Grosso. The whole territory is the fragment of a plateau disposed in a vast curve between the two parallel lines of the Atlantic coast and the course of the Parana. Northwards it is limited by the Pio Grande, a main branch of the Upper Parana, and towards the south by the upper valley
. The earth and its inhabitants .. . HE geographical region draining south-westwards to the Parana presents a remarkable degree of physical uniformity, although divided into several political administrations, and although the zone of the waterparting is unequally distributed between Minas Geraes, Goyaz, and Matto Grosso. The whole territory is the fragment of a plateau disposed in a vast curve between the two parallel lines of the Atlantic coast and the course of the Parana. Northwards it is limited by the Pio Grande, a main branch of the Upper Parana, and towards the south by the upper valley of the Pio Uruguay. At the south-west corner, in the narrow tract comprised between the converg- ing Parana and Uruguay rivers, the boundary towards Argentina has not yet been determined. But colonisation has scarcely yet been extended to this region, and even in S. Paulo, by far the most populous of the three States, there still exist " unknown lands " of gi-eat extent disposed in parallel strips by the Upper Parana affluents. From the reports of pioneers and adventurers these lands are known to be to a large extent fertile. They seem destined some day to be the home of teeming populations, and their settlement has already been commenced. Every year, every day almost, sees fresh tracts reclaimed from the wilderness. The Paoijstas. Amongst all the populations of Brazil, those of S. Paulo are distinguished by their enterprising spirit, so much so that in some respects this region might be regarded as the true centre of Portuguese America. Soon after the discovery the daring pioneer, Joà o Ramalho, in friendly alliance with the Indians, had estab-
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