Carioca aqueduct. The present structure was erected in 1785 by Viceroy Luiz de Vasconcellos e Souza. It is semicircular in form, with bronze figures of Narcissus and Echo at the extremities. The three waterspouts within resemble marrecas (ducks), from which the name of the fountain and street is derived. The first public fountain to catch the traveller’s attention is that of the Praca de D. Pedro II, near the Caes Pharoux landing stage. Gomes Freire de Andrade constructed the first fountain in the centre of the square in 1750, but Luiz de Vasconcellos, who constructed the present fountain in 1789, removed this to the side near the bay. The shipping was supplied with water from this fountain for many years, until the improvement and filling up of the water front left it some distance within the square. There are several other public fountains in various parts of the city, but with the exception of the granite column in the Praca Municipal erected to celebrate the landing of Her Majesty the Empress there in 1843, they possess no special interest. In connection with the new water works, however, several ornamental bronze fountains have been erected throughout the city, some of which are of noticeable artistic merit.

The city possesses several public squares and public square, gardens of exceptional beauty and interest. The oldest of these, the “Praca de D. Pedro II,” is the first to attract the traveller’s attention, as it lies directly upon the water front at the Caes Pharoux landing stage, and is surrounded by many public buildings of historic and official interest. The upper part of this square—now partially occupied by an enclosed garden—was originally known as the “Praca do Carmo” and was the scene of many historic incidents in colonial times. Originally it derived its only importance from the Carmelite convent and church which-faced upon it, but when the residence of the governor-general was erected there, which afterwards became the royal palace, the square was called the “Largo do Paco” (Palace Square), which title it retained until the present reign. - It has been greatly enlarged by the waterfront improvements, but the advantages and beauty of its situation are completely spoiled by its untidy and neglected condition. The city market lies upon its upper side, while within its western and southern angle are the Old Palace, the Chamber of Deputies, and the new Department of Agriculture edifice.