PROVINCE OF PAKANNA. 



advices from his Majesty. On their arrival at Buenos Ayres he unjustly 

 retained them as hostages, with a view of obviating any difficulty that might 

 arise. In Yapeg6, which is the first mission, was presented to him the cele- 

 brated chief, Nicolau, who in Europe passed for the sovereign of the Guaranitic 

 republic, and who was not able to proceed in the train of the others, in con- 

 sequence of the infirmities of old age, being then seventy. The Europeans 

 and their descendants began to frequent the missions, and the Indians to have 

 mutual relations with them, and to learn from them many of the most familiar 

 words, also some relaxation from the more correct morals and manners of the 

 Jesuits. The population, in consequence, soon began to diminish, as well as the 

 neatness and cleanliness of their houses and temples. 



Mountains. — In the northern part there is the serra of Maracaju, which is 

 of trifling altitude ; and the Lambara, in the vicinity of the capital, also not of 

 remarkable elevation, although it exceeds in height all those that encompass it. 



The mineralogy consists of gesso, or plaster, limestone, granite, and marble. 



Rivers and Lakes. — Besides the three great rivers that limit this province, 

 there are many others which water the interior, and some of them navigable for 

 a considerable distance. 



The Gualeguay, which has a course of more than one hundred and forty 

 miles, empties itself into the Uruguay, a few leagues above the JNegro, after 

 having watered a level country, rich in cattle, corn, and fruit trees. 



The Mirinay, which also runs into the Uruguay, fifty miles below the Ibicui, is 

 considerable, and runs through an extensive country, stocked with large cattle. 



The Taquary, seventy miles long, empties itself also into the Uruguay, ninety 

 miles below the preceding. 



The Jaguare, rising in the Serra Maracaju, runs into the Paranna, twelve 

 leagues below the Setequedas (Seven Falls.) 



According to a map of the country, which does not appear a bad one, the 

 Acarahy is the first considerable river which enters the Paranna by the right 

 bank, seventy miles below the Setequedas. 



The Tibiquary, which is considerable, disembogues into the Paraguay ninety 

 miles above the confluence of the Paranna. The Cannabe, after a course of one 

 hundred miles, enters the Paraguay fifty miles north of the Tibiquary. 



The lake Ibera, otherwise Caracares, is pretty considerable, and approxi- 

 mates the left margin of the Paranna ; it has some islands, and its neighbouring 

 lands are marshy. Charts do not accord as to its size ; some give it one hun- 

 dred and fifty miles in length, and little less in width ; others, ninety in length, 



