PROVINCE OF RIO DE JANEIRO. 



105 



where there is gold,) and traverses the lake of Cima, from whence it flows to 

 the lake Feia, with the name of Ururahi. The bed is winding and the current 

 slow. Large canoes advance up without obstacle, almost to its heads. 



The above-mentioned Ururahi, (the* outlet to the lake of Cima,) the margins 

 of which abound with plantations of the sugar-cane and mandioca, describes 

 a semicircle to the north, approaching the Parahiba, with which an advan- 

 tageous communication might be opened, by cutting a canal across a plain, not 

 exceeding four miles in width. 



The lake Feia consists of two unequal parts, united by a narrow channel. 

 The one lies to the north, near twenty miles in length from east to west, and 

 upwards of twelve in width ; the other to the south, sixteen miles in length, and 

 only two in width. It is an interesting lake, abounds with fish, and so inconsi- 

 derable in depth, that canoes can only proceed by certain channels. The water is 

 fresh and wholesome. It has within its precincts a considerable peninsula, upon 

 the isthmus of which is situated the church of the parish of the Lady of Remedies, 

 and presenting a delightful aspect. The margins of this lake are marshy, and it 

 discharges itself by various channels, which, describing extensive circuits, form 

 many islands, and without which, none of those channels would have made their 

 way to the ocean, in consequence of an extensive, high, and solid sand-bank, 

 formed by the sea. All the channels re-unite at divers points, and form another 

 lake, many leagues in length, with the width of a spacious river, stretching, for 

 its whole extent, along the said sand-bank ; across a certain part of which it 

 opens annually an outlet, that presents the appearance of a considerable and 

 furious river, called Furado, at the time the internal receptacles are overflown. 

 The southern or principal of these channels is called Iguassu, or the river 

 Castanheta. This district might be cleared from water, by the introduction 

 of some hydraulic machines, (as in some parts of Lincolnshire), when the 

 grounds would afford pasturage, and become susceptible of cultivation at all 

 times. 



Three leagues to the north of the river Maccahe, is situated the lake 

 Carapebas, about four miles in length from east to west, of unequal and incon- 

 siderable width, separated from the ocean by a sand-bank, which it breaks 

 down in the rainy season, in some parts, for the egress of the waters. It is well 

 stored with a variety of fish. Near the right margin of the Parahiba, between 

 the towns of St. Salvador, and St. Joam, are the two Jahi lakes ; also the 

 Sequarema; the Campelo, upon the north side of the Parahiba, almost in 

 front of the town of St. Joam ; and the Pedras, which is a deep lake, having 



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