1885.] Physical Geography of the Amazons Valley. 27 
equal in length, commonly shorter than the main stem, the ultimate divisions less 
than one-half the length of a single zoöid, each division supporting a single animal- 
cule; entire pedicel stout, longitudinally striate; contracted zodid obovate or sub- 
pyriform, the frontal border projecting in snout-like manner, and the anterior body- 
half thrown into prominent Gestalt plications, the posterior body-half into sev- 
eral annulations. Length of body ziy (0.0024) inch; height of main stem ;}; 
(0.0030) ; of the entire colony q}; (0.0090) inch. Habitat: Attached to Cladophora 
glomerata on the shore of Luna island in the rapid water of the Niagara river. 
"Ty" 
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NOTES ON THE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE 
AMAZONS VALLEY. 
BY HERBERT H. SMITH. 
OST of our common maps indicate a triple division of the 
Amazons, the Peruvian portion being called Marañon, the 
Middle Amazons, Solimoens, while all below the junction of the 
Rio Negro is distinguished as the Lower Amazons, Geogra- 
phers have treated this division as one of custom and conveni- 
ence only, and so far as the Peruvian portion, or Marañon, is con- 
cerned, they are right; its distinction from the Solimoens is 
merely nominal, Brazilians and Peruvians speaking of both por- 
tions as the Upper Amazons. But this A/to Amazonas is con- 
stantly and clearly distinguished from the lower or main river. 
“The Amazons,” say the river pilots, “is formed by the junction 
of the Solimoens and the Rio Negro; the Solimoens is called 
Upper Amazons because it is longer and has more important set- 
tlements on its banks, but it is really a branch like the Negro. 
Indeed, at the junction it is the Solimoens which forms an angle, 
while the Negro is directly in a line with the Lower Ama- 
zons, so that it appears to be the main river.” This idea is uni- 
versal among the river people, and it has led to many important 
results. The “ Amazons” and “ Solimoens” are well recognized 
in commercial affairs, and they have even formed the basis of a 
political division, the limits of the provinces of Para and Alto 
Amazonas corresponding pretty nearly with those of the Lower 
and Upper Amazons. 
The division is, in fact, much more significant than geographers 
have supposed.. Whatever may have led to the distinction of 
names, there is a real and well-marked physical division, not only 
of the river itself, but of the country and its fauna and flora. Mr. 
Bates is, I believe, the only traveler who has nay indicated 
