THE RIO ATRATO. 



157 



bar, and rapids higher up. Hence the stream is chiefly used for floating down 

 lumber.* 



The Atrato. 



The Atrato (Darien, Choco), which forms the natural limit of South America 

 towards its north-west extremity, is almost less a river than a moving morass. 



Fig. 60.— Mouths of the Ateato. 



Scale 1 : 825,000. 



7/°20 



to 10 

 Fathoms. 



iJepfhs. 



10 to 25 

 Fathoms. 



25 Fathoms 

 and upwards. 



18 Miles. 



Thanks to the heavy rainfall of its basin, it discharges a larger volume in propor- 

 tion to its extent than, any other known watercourse. Rising beyond the Andes 



* Length of the Siini according to Vergara y Velasco, 286 miles ; extent of the fluvial basin, 

 6,500 square miles. Mean discharge, 11,500 cubic feet per second; at high water, 32,000; at low 

 water, 7,000. 



