GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION. 49 



ravines. The Oropuche has its outlet nearly in the centre of the 

 Matura coast. 



It becomes evident from this description that the dividing 

 table-land lies between Valencia and Cuare, and extends south- 

 ward to the central range, dividing the waters of the Cumuto 

 from those of the Guayco and Cunapo. It is 219 feet above the 

 level of the sea, and distant thirteen miles from the eastern, and 

 twenty-one miles from the western coast. The greatest elevation 

 of this water-shed, between the affluents of the Ortoire and the 

 Great Lagoon of Oropuche, should be sought at Savannah Grande ; 

 it is 230 feet. The distance to the eastern coast is twenty-six 

 miles, and only seven miles to the western. Besides the Oro- 

 puche and its affluents, we meet farther eastward with the 

 Matura, Salibea, and Tumpire, which have their mouths in 

 Matura, Salibea, and Cumana bays respectively. The Matura is 

 the largest of these currents, the other two being mere mountain 

 streams. - 



In addition to the Caroni and its affluents, there are in the 

 Caroni basin several other water-courses worth mentioning, some 

 of them being natural canals or outlets for the waters of the ex* 

 tensive swamp, which forms, as it were, a Delta to the Caroni ; 

 such are Blue River and Chaguanas, or Madame Espagnole. The 

 Capparo River, which seems to rise in that part of the central 

 range connecting Tamana and Montserrat, has first a north- 

 westerly course, and discharges its waters into the gulf. Next 

 come the Arena and Couva, both having their sources in the 

 central range, and their outlet in the gulf. 



The southern plain is watered by a number of small streams, 

 and a principal river called the Guataro. In the Lagoon basin 

 the following water-courses are worth noticing : — The Cipero, 

 southward of the town of San Fernando, flows from the district 

 of Savannah Grande, and drains part of that of Naparima ; about 

 one mile and a half from its mouth is a shipping place, whither 

 flats are sent to take off produce. Eastward of La Brea are the 

 Aripero, the Silver-stream, and the Roussillac ; southward, the 

 Bravo or Vossini River, the Guapo, and Capdeville, with a num- 

 ber of smaller ravines. All these water-courses spring from the 

 high land of the interior, and form separate streams which flow 

 into the gulf. Between the Cipero and Aripero, however, lies 

 the Oropuche or Grand Lagoon, which may be considered as the 



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