F. GEOGRAPHY. !4 5 



fifty-five miles, the route being generally known as that of 

 Tuyra. 



Another line was surveyed, extending from the Bay of 

 Cupica, in the Pacific, and following the valley of the Napipi 

 to its mouth. A third route, by way of the River Bojaya, 

 was heard of, but too late to make any examination ; and it 

 was thought that the results of an inquiry there would not 

 Jbe any more satisfactory, at least, than the route by the Na- 

 pipi, both rivers running very near each other. 



Farther prosecution of the work during the past season 

 was impracticable on account of the approach of the rainy 

 season and the general exhaustion of the parties, but data 

 enough were obtained, it is thought, to give a definite con- 

 clusion in regard to the subject of inquiry. Both the Tuyra 

 and Napipi routes are believed by Captain Selfridge to be 

 practicable, although a canal along the former would proba- 

 bly cost $140,000,000, and one along the latter $110,000,000. 

 Neither is quite satisfactory, however, and it is a question 

 whether any attempt will be made to realize the much-talk- 

 ed-of project on the Isthmus of Darien. 



In the progress of the expedition a vast amount of light 

 was thrown upon the general geography and physical char- 

 acter of the country, the natural history being illustrated by 

 collections in the departments of botany and zoology. Cap- 

 tain Selfridge concludes his report by reminding the govern- 

 ment of Colombia that the route by Nicaragua will be a for- 

 midable rival to any other more southern one, and that, un- 

 less very favorable conditions are offered, it is more than like- 

 ly that the canal will ultimately be built through Nicaragua. 

 JVeio York Herald, September 1, 1871. 



EXPLORATION OF THE PERENE RIVER. 



Within the past few years the government authorities of 

 Peru have done a great deal toward exploring the less-known 

 portions of that country, especially those on the eastern slope 

 of the Andes, and the report of a late expedition has just 

 reached us. The object of the examination in question was 

 to determine the navigability of the River Perene, and the 

 character of the adjacent country. This river, which is a 

 branch of the Ucayale, or, rather, of the Apurimac, rises near 

 the town of Tarma, in the department of Junin, and flows 



G 



