CHAPTER II. 



PARAGUAY. 



THE PARANA. 



JFTER entering the Parana, the voyager sails for 

 hundreds of miles up the mighty stream between 

 lofty clay-banks of a red colour ; sometimes ab- 

 solutely perpendicular, and at others consisting of broken 

 masses covered with cacti and mimosa-trees. Here and there 

 may be seen, projecting from the cliffs, huge skeletons of the 

 toxodon, megatherium, mylodon, and other monsters which 

 once in countless numbers inhabited the plains of South 

 America. Now the river expands into lake-like proportions, 

 its surface dotted with numerous low and wooded islands. At 

 intervals, towns, villages, or forts may be seen on the summits 

 of the cliffs, sixty feet above the water. Generally the country 

 on the western side is a level, treeless plain ; but as the river 

 is ascended woods appear, which gradually become thicker, pre- 

 senting, as further progress is made, more and more a tropical 

 character. 



As Paraguay is approached, low flat banks appear, which 



