230 



PROVINCE OF MATTO GROSSO. 



prises the same length as the Arinos from north to south, and upwards of two 

 hundred miles from east to west. 



With the exception of the eastern boundary, along the Araguaya, it is unknown, 

 for want of the relations of those who penetrated into it at an earlier period. 

 Amongst other nations who have this district under their dominion, are the 

 Guapindaias ; the Tappiraques, who afford it the name ; the Ximbiuas, and the 

 Aracis. 



The southern part contains various rivers. The most remarkable are the 

 Boys, Barahu, Irahiras, and Xanacy, all arms of the great river Xingu, but it 

 is not known which is its principal head. 



Those that originate more to the east form the river St. Joao, which enters the 

 Araguaya above fifty miles north of the river Mortes. To the south of its 

 embouchure there is a large lake which communicates with it, as well as with 

 the river that receives it, during the periodical floods. 



Seventy miles below the river St. Joao, the Vertentes falls also into the 

 Araguaya, after an extensive course. A little to the north of the re-union of 

 the two arms of the Araguaya, which form the large island of St. Anna, is the 

 mouth of the river Ponta, not very considerable ; and a short distance lower 

 down that of the Tappiraques, so called from its originating in the territory of 

 the Indians of the same name. 



To the north of the river Tappiraques, upon the margin of the Araguaya, in 

 the space of eighty miles, were founded the three aldeias of Lappa, Almeida^ 

 and Semancelhe, for the habitation of various families of the Ximbiua tribe, re- 

 duced to peace in the year 1775, who soon afterwards adopted their former rude 

 mode of living. They are a people passionately fond of hunting and fishing, 

 the produce of which constitute their principal subsistence. The first certanistas 

 who penetrated into these districts, killing some partridges, found in their crops 

 granites with gold, a proof of the existence of that precious metal here, and 

 which may stimulate future exertions in the desirable object of introducing cul- 

 tivation and Christianity into extensive territories yet uncolonized. 



The great fertility of these lands, and the facility with which their produc- 

 tions might be transported by their noble rivers, particularly towards Gram 

 Para, also concur in raising the expectation that some effectual measures will be 

 adopted to civilize the savage wanderers, and convert the widely extending 

 woods to the purposes of such culture as the soil, now overshadowed with 

 constant gloom, may be found to be best adapted. 



