Rivers.—The river Parnahiba is formed of three currents of the same name, the origins of which are in the skirts or proximity of the serra which limits the province on the south-west. Its first tributary is the river Balsas, the only one which joins it by the left margin. A short distance below this confluence, the river Urussuhy enters it on the right, and comes from the same serra. Eighty miles lower, the Gurguea is incorporated with it; one hundred miles further it receives the Caninde, and twenty more, the Poty. After one hundred and thirty miles, the mouth of the river Longa is met with, a little lower than which a small arm issues from the Parnahiba to the east, which traverses a large lake called Encantada, and forms an island of about five miles in length, of proportionate width, flat, and in the form of half a circle. Twenty miles further, this river divides itself into two rather unequal currents, and ultimately enters the ocean by six mouths, formed by five islands of various sizes, which are never submerged, and some of them afford pasture for cattle. The eastern branch and the most considerable is denominated Hyguarassu, the next Barravelha, that which follows is called Barra do Meio; the fourth, Barra do Caju; the fifth, Barra das Cannarias, the most western Tutoya, by which the small river of the same name is discharged. Thirty miles is reckoned between the two extreme embouchures. This river, by which barks of considerable burden proceed up to the confluence of the Balsas, affords navigation very nearly to its origin to canoes, which use the sail for eight days, the remainder always the oar and the vara, rendering the voyage long and tedious. This river has no falls, only currents, the largest of which render it necessary to relieve the barks of half their cargoes. Its bed is winding, and generally wide and handsome. Amongst many other fish which it affords the most esteemed are the sorubin, camurupin, piratinga, fidalgo, mandin, pirapemba, piranha, and trahira.
The river Poty, to which was given the name of the people who inhabited the country through which it flows at its commencement, originates on the western side of the mountain from whence the Jaguaribe before described issues, in the district of St. Joze. After a course of about fifty miles, traversing plains which abound with cattle, and fifteen miles below the arraial of the Piranhas, where there is a hermitage of the Lord Bom Jesus, it opens a narrow passage across the cordillera, forming various interesting cascades. Issuing from thence, it receives by the right margin the considerable stream Macambira, that flows from the Serra Cocos. Thirty-five miles below this confluence, it is united on the left by the small river Marvao; and about the same distance further, it receives by the same side the river St. Victor, which comes from the plains of Lagoa, with more than seventy miles of course, and brings with it the small rivers St. Nicolau and Berlengas. Upwards of seventy miles below this point, it discharges itself into the ocean. Its bed is for the most part wide, and its current tranquil. Canoes advance up some leagues; and upon its margins is cultivated good tobacco.
The river Gurguea issues from a stony part of the skirts of the serra of its name, which is a portion of that before mentioned, where the river Urussuhy has its origin. After flowing seventy miles north, it gathers on the right the Pirahim, and, continuing in the same direction for one hundred and seventy miles more, it falls into the Parnahiba. Its current is rapid, and almost universally through a flat country, abounding with cattle. It affords navigation only during the winter, has one fall a few leagues above its mouth, and its waters are of a greenish colour.
The river Pirahim originates nine leagues to the east of the preceding, at the base of the same serra, which forms the boundary on the side of Pernambuco, and, after seventy miles of course northward, it traverses the lake Pernagua, and fifty miles lower enters the Parnahiba. It runs almost generally between narrow banks, and with considerable depth through a solid soil.
The Caninde has its source near Serra Dois Irmaos, runs northward, and passes within two miles of Oeyras; and seventy miles further its waters are absorbed by the Parnahiba, after a course of one hundred and eighty miles, through a flat country rich in cattle; it runs at first only as a current during the period of rains. In the angle of its confluence there is an extensive plain, well adapted for the foundation of a town, and within its precincts every branch of agriculture would not fail to flourish.
The Itahim rises near the southern boundary of the province, passes near the serra Vermelha, flowing for a considerable space parallel with the Caninde, which it joins on the right eighteen miles above Oeyras, after having traversed an extensive country abounding with cattle. Its largest confluent is the small river Guaribis, which has a considerable course, and joins it, by the right margin, eight miles above its mouth.
The Piauhy, from which the province derives its name, originates near the boundary, runs north, and enters the Caninde fifty miles below the capital, after a course of one hundred and forty miles, through lands affording pasturage for cattle.
The river Longa rises in the campos of the town of Campo Maior, passing it within eight miles, and taking a northerly direction. Among other small rivers which enlarge it, are the Sorubim, the Maratahoan, running through a bed of amolar stone, and the Piracruca, which comes from the Serra Hibiapaba. It is only considerable during rains, and navigable for the space of twenty miles to the situation of Victoria. Near its margins, which abound with cattle and capibaras, there are many lakes: some are considerable, and have small islands, but the whole are dried up immediately the river begins to be impoverished by drought.
Phytology.—This province has few woods, and those of little extent; but possesses trees of good timber for building. The carnahuba and piassaba trees are very numerous in some districts. Cocoa-nut trees appear only in the vicinity of the sea. Quinaquina, or Jesuits’ bark, is said to grow here. The soil is in parts substantial, and appropriated to the culture of mandioca, Indian corn, legumes, rice, the cane, and tobacco, producing sufficient of all for the consumption of the country. The tobacco upon the margins of the Parnahiba passes in the opinion of many for the best in the Brazil; at least it is dearer, and preferred to the approved quality of Bahia. There are large plantations of the cotton tree, the produce of which furnishes a considerable branch of commerce. Jalap and ipecacuanha are not unknown; as also, among other fruit trees of the plains, the ambuzo, the jabuticaba, and the mangaba; the jaca and mango trees are rare. The orange and banana trees are not common to all places; but the atta, or pine tree, prospers almost in all parts, and produces fruit in perfection. European fruit trees scarcely appear. The fig and the vine acquire little size and fructify in small quantity.
Zoology.—The abundance and good quality of pasturage which is met with in all the districts, and generally without many portions appropriated to agriculture, has caused the lands, almost in all parts, to be destined for breeding cattle, which are prodigiously numerous, and constitute the main property in the country; and this province may be considered the great mart for the supply of beef to Maranham, Pernambuco, and Bahia, at which places the cattle arrive in much better condition than at Rio de Janeiro. Horses are not bred beyond the wants of the country. Sheep are numerous, and goats much less so; but if the inhabitants were industrious, and well acquainted with cutting and tanning the skins, they would form a considerable branch of commerce. All the wild animals of the neighbouring provinces are well known here; deer are the most numerous. In the short extent of the coast of this province there are no islands, capes, nor points; and the only port is that of the river Hyguarassu, capable of receiving sumacas, which formerly navigated to the town of St. Joao, but at present remain eight miles below it, in consequence of the river diminishing in depth. The entrance, besides, is dangerous.