General Fhydcal. and Topographical Features. 



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above sea-level. Its course is much impeded by many rapids and 

 cataracts as far down as Tiniehri Rock, in latitude 4° 40' north, 

 below which it is navigable for sailing craft and the smaller river 

 steamers. From its source it flows in a north-north-westerly direction 

 approaching to v/ithin from twenty-five to thirty miles of the Essequibo 

 River near the fourtli parallel of north latitude, thence its course is 

 north-north-east to the Atlantic Ocean, into which it discharges it.s 

 waters by an estuary about seven miles wide. The principal of 

 its few large tributaries are the New River, the sources of which 

 approach those of the Esseciuibo River, the Aramatan, near the source, 

 and the Nickeri, which enters near the mouth on the Surinam side. 



The Berbice River is divided near its mouth into two channels 

 by Crab Island, the width there being about three miles from bank 

 to bank. The source of the Berbice River has not as yet been 

 determined, but it is probably situated in the vicinity of the third 

 parallel of north latitude. Its tortuous course through th« low 

 alluvial and sand and clay belts is navigable by sailing craft and 

 steamers for a longer distance inland than are any of the other rivers of 

 the colony. The steamer terminus is nearly opposite the mouth of 

 the Ituni in 5° 33' north latitude; but during the rainy seasons it 

 is navigable for small craft as far as the first rapids at Marlissa, in 

 4° 45' north latitude, to the foot of which the influence of the tide 

 extends. In the dry seasons beyond the mouth of the Ituni the 

 river becomes very shallow, its bed being filled by many broad and 

 extensive sandbanks. 



The first large cataract on this river is the Itabru, in 4° 49' 

 north latitude ; thence to the Christmas Falls, in 4° 41' 45" north 

 latitude, its course is obstructed by numerous rapids and low cataracts. 

 Beyond this its course is sluggish. Both below and above Itabru 

 a striking feature of the river is the many inlets and lake-like lagoons 

 which occur on both banks, in some of which that now famous lily, the 

 "Victoria Regia," was first discovered growing, and so named by 

 Sir Robert Schomburgk. The largest of its numerous tributaries are 

 the Canje, the Wironi, and the Wikki. 



The Waini, with its confluent the Barama, together with the 

 Barima River, and their many large tributaries and numerous streams, 

 are situated in that forest-covered part of the colony known as the 

 North-Western district, which extends from the Amacura River on 

 the west (the upper part of this river forming the western boundary 

 between the colony and Venezuela) eastwards towards and near to the 

 Maruka River, and southward from the Atlantic Ocean to that portion 

 of the Imataca mountains, which also form a part of the western 

 boundary of the colony. 



These rivers are of great importance, as they furnish easy means 

 of access and transportation to and from the low-lying agricultural 

 districts near the coast, and the gold-bearing, forest-clad districts 

 further inland, for they are navigable by steamers and motor-launches 

 for long distances inland. Only in the upper reaches for a short 

 time during very drj'^ weather do they become too shallow for launches 



