PROVINCE OF MATTO GROSSO. 



225 



Forty miles above the mouth of the Cuiaba the St. Louren^o is joined by the 

 Piquiri, which is larger, has its heads near the boundary of Cayaponia, not 

 far from those of the Sucuriu, and receives on the right the Piaughuhi, which 

 originates in the same parts ; on the left, the Itaquira, which has its source in 

 the proximity of that of the Jauri-Guassu, a branch of the Tocoary, already 

 mentioned. 



A few years only have elapsed since an explorer navigated up the Piquiri 

 seven days, and did not encounter a cataract. Ancient certanistas have 

 asserted that the navigation from Porto Feliz to Cuiaba may be accomplished by 

 the Sucuriu and Piquiri. It is, however, certain that the voyage from the 

 mouth of the Tiete to the Cuiaba is more than one-third shorter than by that of 

 Camapuan. 



The Rio das Mortes, (River of the Dead,) which took this name in conse- 

 quence of many people of the first bandeira dying upon its margins from fevers, 

 has its numerous heads to the south of the Cuiaba road. It runs to the north- 

 east and discharges its considerable volume into the western arm of the Ara- 

 guaya, where it forms the island of St. Anna. It affords extensive navigation 

 into the interior of the province. The Roncador and the great and small San- 

 gradores are the most remote origins of this river. The first is the most western, 

 and flows a short distance from an arm of the aforesaid Sucuriu. Between the 

 two Sangradores there is a spacious lake, called Logoa Grande. 



The Rio do Peixe, (River of Fish,) formed by the Raizama and Tacoaral, 

 which also cross the Cuiaba road, there insignificant, flows northwards, and 

 ultimately enters the Rio das Mortes. 



Twenty-five miles from the Araguaya, near a small stream and the said 

 road, is situated the aldeia of Insua, with a register. 



There existed upon the left margin of the Rio das Mortes, an aldeia, named 

 Amaro Leite after its founder, which disappeared when the road was carried 

 in a more direct line further to the south. 



District of Juruenna. 

 This comarca is bounded on the north by Mundrucania, on the west by the 

 rivers Guapore and Madeira, on the south by the comarca of Matto Grosso, 

 and on the east by the river which affords its name, comprising nearly four 

 hundred miles from north to south, and much more from east to west. Between 

 the Pederneiras and Araras falls, in the latitude of 9° 45', where the river 

 Madeira curves to the west, there is a point on its eastern margin, in front of 



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