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TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 895 
Chaco Central, is between the rivers Pilcomayo and Bermejo. The third, to the 
south, is the Chaco Austral, and lies between the rivers Bermejo and Salado. It 
is an immense sandy formation, sloping from N, to S. and from W.N.W. to E.S.E, 
the depression being about 200 métres between Caiza and Formosa. It is drained 
from W.N.W. to E.S.E. by the Pilecomayo and the Bermejo, two great arteries of 
the La Plata. 
The Pilcomayo takes its rise in the high Bolivian plateau in the vicinity of 
Potosi, then, running 8.S.E, as a rapid and impetuous torrent, is enlarged by a 
number of affluents, and then takes a precipitous course through a plain having a 
fall of 21 centimétres per métre, and, rushing through masses of jasper, freestone, 
and schists, which form the rocks of Aguaragui and Caipipendi, enters the Chaco 
at San Francisco de Solano. The current runs at the rate of 13 to 2 miles per 
hour, rendering navigation difficult; but at certain places, notably at Cavaya 
Ropoli, a little below the Crevaux colony, the banks open out and the current 
flows round innumerable islands. 
Bolivia has established missions of Italian Franciscan friars at Machareti, 
Tiguipa, Tarairi, San Francisco, and Aguarrenda. At this point we reach the 
limit of civilisation, and passing northwards we enter Izozog, inhabited by the 
Tapuis Indians, who dwell on the banks of the river Parapiti at Carumbei, 
Guandare, Ipahuasu, Amenati, Aguarati, Tamane, Tobi, Cobei, Iguiasiriri, 
Tapere, &c., &c. This group belongs to the tribe of Chiriguanos, who extend 
along the whole of the missions as far as Caiza and Yacuiva. Immediately to the 
south are the Matacos at Tonono and Itiyuru. In the thickest part of the forest 
in the Chaco Boreal dwell the Sirionos, Itirucommbre, the ‘ En Pelotas,’ so called 
because they are entirely naked, and are in a state of absolute savagery. They 
live almost exclusively on honey, which is very plentiful, and drink, in the absence 
of water, from a plant belonging to the Crucifere family growing very profusely, 
and called by the Tapins the Cipo-hi, from Cipo plant, ie water. The whole of 
the left bank of the Pilcomayo is inhabited by the Tobas, Choitis, and Tapihetes 
Indians. These Indians, whose numbers are very considerable, form three different 
groups, to judge from their dialects and customs. 
On the right bank are the Matacos, the Guimages, with some of the Tobas; 
these also form three distinct groups, less numerous but more tractable. The 
Indians who massacred the members of the Crevaux mission in April 1882, 
belonged to the Tobas, a very vindictive and sanguinary tribe. 
On account of its impenetrable forests and the aridity of its sandy soil, the 
Chaco Boreal cannot be utilised except for its timber, and the guebracho, for its 
enormous quantity of bees-wax and honey deposited in its trunk. M. Thouar, 
from a careful estimate made from various parts of the Chaco Boreal, calculates 
that the average quantity of wax and honey that could be collected annually from 
this region amounts to between 560,000 and 600,000 cwts. The surface of the 
Chaco Central differs from the Chaco Boreal in being more open, and possessing 
extensive prairies affording excellent pasturage lands interspersed with well- 
timbered lands. The Indians living in this district possess numerous flocks of 
cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and mules. 
As regards the Chaco Austral, it is well known that the best colonies to the 
north of Santa Fé are situated in this region ; the climate is.highly salubrious, the 
soil is extremely fertile, and affords abundant scope for agriculture and cattle 
rearing. The whole of the territory lying between the Pilcomayo to the north ard 
the Salado to the south is most suitable to colonisation, and is destined to become 
at some future day the granaryof South America. The attention of the Bolivian 
and Argentine Governments has been directed towards the development of this 
region. 
Asi examination of the map of South America will satisfy anyone that this 
part of Bolivia cannot be brought into direct communication with Europe by the 
Chilian route vid Huanahuaca and Antofogasta, or the Peruvian route vid Puno 
and Mollendo. On the other hand, a route across the Chaco Central by way of 
the Pilcomayo, or, as has been mooted, a railway between Formosa and Caiza, 
would bring the extensive and fertile region within eight days’ journey of Buenos 
