30 



REMARKS ON the PRACTICABILITY of NAVIGATING 

 THE RIVER HUALLAGA, 



WITH NOTES ON THE PRODUCTIONS, AND OF PART OF MAYNAS, PERU,^^ 



BY A. MATHEWS, A. L. S., 

 NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTOR AT LIMA.* 



On leaving Lima, it was my intention to make some stay at eacli 

 of the Pueblost on the banks of the river Huallaga ; but was pre- 

 vented, in consequence of having been detained in the Quebrada| 

 of Chinchao longer than I expected : nevertheless, I saw sufficient 

 during my journey from the point from which I started, or embark- 

 ed, (Juana del Rio) to the port of Shipaja, to recommend this part 

 of Peru to the especial notice and care of the Supreme Govern- 

 ment. 



The true character of the River Huallaga is, as yet, but imper- 

 fectly known ; and it is generally supposed, in Lima, that it might 

 be navigated by steam vessels with facility. Though this is the 

 general opinion, it has been formed without a true knowledge of 

 the difficulties which a steam vessel would have to encounter, espe- 

 cially in the ascent. 



From Juana del Rio to Uchiza there are but two malpasos§ of 

 any importance : when the river is full they may be passed with 

 ease; but when the river is at its lowest, the angle or bend, in 

 which the deep part is situated, is so sharp, and the current comes 

 with so much force against the precipice of rocks, which are partly 

 undermined, that a small vessel would have great difficulty in stem- 

 ing the current. From thence to a short distance below Tocache, 

 the river is broad, the current less strong, with many large islands ; 



• The Editor is indebted to J. C. Loudon, Esq., for the following interest- 

 ing communication. 



-f- Small villages. 



X Deep vallies, formed by the streams or torrentis descending from the 

 Cordilleras of the Andes, are all termed Quebradas. It is a better term than 

 any we have ; our term, ravine, does not convey a sufficient idea of the size 

 of these places. 



§ Bad passes, or rapids. 



