348 The Andes and the Amazons. 



six-oar canoe, when the Curetu falls (over granite rocks) 

 are reached, near a lofty table -topped mountain. The 

 channel is only seven or eight metres deep, and there are 

 no settlements. The second cachoeira is thirty days above, 

 and is called Arara-cuara ; here the river is twelve miles 

 wide, consisting of many channels. Fifteen days by canoe 

 up the Apoporis brings one to rapids. There is but one 

 day's portage between the head of the Tunantms and the 

 Moco. 



The Iga has no rapids, and is navigable into New Gra- 

 nada. It is a healthy river, though swarming with piums ; 

 and is of considerable commercial importance. 



The Javari is navigable by canoe for an unknown dis- 

 tance, and is called the " Golden Dream of the Peruvians," 

 since they imagined it was the eastern outlet of their coun- 

 try. But this it will never become. The " Icamiaba" has 

 ascended above the mouth of the Tecuchy in high water ; 

 and the Boundary Commission examined it with a steam- 

 launch sixty-four miles. 



The Napo could be ascended by a flat-bottom steamer 

 500 miles, or at least to Coca; it is the natural highway 

 eastward for Ecuador. Should tlie Curaray be found nav- 

 igable, it would open one of the richest corners of the 

 continent, abounding in valuable vegetable products, while 

 the purest gold washed in the whole Amazons region is 

 obtained between its source and the Upper Napo.* 



The Nanay has been ascended by a small steamer 160 

 miles, where there was a depth of from three to five fath- 

 oms ; but navigation beyond is difficult on accoimt of drift- 

 timber. The banks are high as far up as Pinduyacu, and 

 abounding with rubber-trees ; above that are many lagunes 



* It is a singular coincidence that the word "Napo," which is applied to 

 the densest part of the South American wilderness, is the Greek for "forest," 

 as seen in the name "Napoleon," meaning the lion of the forest. 



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