noon
In such lovely spots they travelled more slowly and rested more frequently , enjoying to the full the sight of the gaily-coloured birds and insects that fluttered busily around them , and the delicious perfume of the flowers that decked the ground and clambered up the trees . At other times they came to plains , or _ campos _ , as they are termed , where there were no trees at all , and few shrubs , and where the grass was burned brown and dry by the sun . Over such they hurried as quickly as they could ; and fortunately , where they chanced to travel , such places were neither numerous nor extensive , although in some districts of Brazil there are campos hundreds of miles in extent . A small stream meandered through the forest and enabled them to refresh themselves frequently ; which was very fortunate , for the heat , especially towards noon , became extremely intense , and they could not have existed without water . So great , indeed , was the heat about mid-day , that , by mutual consent , they resolved to seek the cool shade of a spreading tree , and try to sleep if possible . At this time they learned , to their surprise , that all animated nature did likewise , and sought repose at noon . God had implanted in the breast of every bird and insect in that mighty forest an instinct which taught it to rest and find refreshment during the excessive heat of mid-day ; so that during the space of two or three hours , not a thing with life was seen , and not a sound was heard .