The mountain Araripe, which is a portion of it, commands a view of the river St. Francisco, at a distance of more than thirty leagues. In this mountain the rivers Jaguariba and Piranhas have their origin, and run to the north. It also gives birth to the rivers Parahiba and Capibaribe, which flow eastward, and likewise to the Moxoto and the Pajehu, which direct their course to the south.
About seven leagues distant from the fall of Paulo Affonso, in the parish of Tarcaratu, is the mountain of Agua-Branca, with its numerous branches, in great part covered with wild and luxuriant woods. Here is a chapel of Our Lady of Conceiçao, and many families of different shades of complexion, equally if not more barbarous than the ancient possessors of the country.
In the vicinity of the river Pajehu, about fifteen leagues from that which absorbs it, is the serra Negra, which is about a league long, and proportionably wide, and covered with thick woods, that are often violently agitated by strong winds. Near it is the site of Jacare, where the Choco Indians lived for some time; but since they have been subjugated, like their neighbours, there is little mention made of them.
At a short distance from the source of the river Una, is the serra Garanhuns. It is covered with woods, where they are introducing plantations of cotton, Indian corn, mandioca, vegetables, and fruits. From this mountain descend many clear streams of water, which vanish on entering the sandy plains that encompass it below. Among other useful plants may be remarked the terminalia, or styrax of Linnæus, which produces the gum-resinous drug called benzoin.
The serra of Russas, two leagues long, and of small width, is situated about sixteen leagues distant from the Recife, in the road which leads towards the certam of the river St. Francisco.
The serra Sellada is four leagues to the south-west of Cape St. Augustine, and little more than two from the sea; and, although of trifling height, is the best land-mark for sailors in these latitudes.
Four leagues to the north-west of Caninde, an insignificant and ill-situated village, on the left bank of the St. Francisco, is the serra of Olho d’Agua, with a circuit of two leagues, and of considerable height. From its summit is discovered a vast chain of inferior mountains on all sides, and at a distance of about six leagues to the west-north-west is seen a column of vapour rising from the cataract of Paulo Affonso, similar to the smoke of a conflagration. Formerly this mountain abounded with numerous tigers, in consequence of the multitude of caverns within the jetting rocks and frowning crags that compose it. Even at present they are the retreats of a formidable species of bat, which proves very destructive to cattle.
The serra of Priaca is about eight leagues to the north-west of the town of Penedo. That of Pao d’Assucar is within sight of the former, and near the river St. Francisco. On the southern skirts of the serra of Pao d’Assucar there is a lake, where bones of an enormous size have been found; and on its northern side there is a most terrific cavern.
The serra of Poco, situated fifteen leagues distant from the last, towards the interior of the province, is covered with woods where trees of the finest timber are produced, some of whose trunks exude precious resins, and oily or balsamic liquors, while the hollow trunks of others serve for the hives of various kinds of bees.
Comenaty is one of the largest mountains in the interior. It abounds with extensive woods in many parts, where the Indians and other inhabitants of the parish of Aguas Bellas have introduced large plantations of cotton and mandioca.