188 HISTORY OF 



from its source near Pasto, to its discharge into 

 the Atlantic Ocean. 



Such is the amazing length of the greatest 

 rivers ; and even in some of these, the most re- 

 mote sources very probably yet continue un- 

 known. In fact, if we consider the number of 

 rivers which they receive, and the little acquaint- 

 ance we have with the regions through which 

 they run, it is not to be wondered at that geo- 

 graphers are divided concerning the sources of 

 most of them. As among a number of roots by 

 which nourishment is conveyed to a stately tree, 

 it is difficult to determine precisely that by which 

 the tree is chiefly supplied ; so among the many 

 branches of a great river, it is equally difficult to 

 tell which is the original. Hence it may easily 

 happen, that a smaller branch is taken for the ca- 

 pital stream ; and its runnings are pursued, and 

 delineated, in prejudice of some other branch 

 that better deserved the name and the descrip- 

 tion. In this manner,* in Europe, the Danube 

 is known to receive thirty lesser rivers ; the 

 Wolga, thirty-two or thirty-three. In Asia, the 

 Hoanho receives thirty-five; the Jenisca above 

 sixty; the Oby as many; the Amour about 

 forty ; the Nanquin receives thirty rivers ; the 

 Ganges twenty ; and the Euphrates about eleven. 

 In Africa, the Senegal receives more than twenty 

 rivers ; the Nile receives not one for five hundred 

 leagues upwards, and then only twelve or thir- 

 teen. In America, the river Amazon receives 



* Buffon, vol. ii. p. 74. 



