226 CATARACTS OF THE ORINOCO. 



Toparo. The lading was not then removed from the boats, 

 nor were the latter worn and injured as they now are by 

 being constantly stranded upon the rocks and dragged over 

 their rough surface. 



The topographical plan of the district sketched by me 

 shews the facilities which the nature of the ground offers 

 for the opening of a canal from the Cameji to the Toparo, 

 which would form a navigable side arm to the river, the 

 dangerous portion of which would be thus avoided. I pro- 

 posed its execution to the Governor-General of Venezuela. 



The Eaudal of Atures closely resembles that of Maypures ; 

 like it, it is a cluster of islands between which the river 

 forces its way for ten or twelve thousand yards ; a forest of 

 palms rising from the midst of the foaming waters. The 

 most celebrated " Steps" of this Eaudal are situated between 

 the islands of Avaguri and Javariveni, between Suripamana 

 and Uirapuri. 



When M. Bonpland and I returned from the banks of 

 the Bio Negro, we ventured to pass the latter or lower half of 

 the Eaudal of Atures with the loaded canoe, often leaving it 

 for the rocky dikes which connect one island with another. 

 Sometimes the waters rush over these dikes, and some- 

 times they fall with a hollow thundering sound into cavities, 

 and flowing for a time through subterranean channels, 

 leave large pieces of the bed of the river dry. Here the 

 golden Pipra rupicola makes its nest; it is one of the 

 most beautiful of tropical birds, with a double . moveable 

 crest of feathers, and is as pugnacious as the East Indian 

 domestic cock. 



