23rd May 1832

Rio de Janeiro
Collected numerous animals on the sandy plain, which skirts the sea at the back of the Sugar loaf. The ground here being cleared of Cactuses & bushes is for many acres planted with Pineapples. They are cultivated in straight rows, & at a considerable distance apart. Thus does this fruit nursed with so much care in England here occupy land, which for all other purposes is entirely sterile & unproductive. The number of oranges which the trees in the orchards here bear, is quite astonishing. I saw one to day where I am sure there were lying on the ground sufficient to load several carts, besides that which the boughs were almost cracking with the burthen of the remaining fruit.