428 



PROVINCE OF PIAUHY. 



has its origin. After flowing seventy miles north, it gathers on the right the 

 Pirahim, and, continuing in the same direction for one hundred and seventy 

 miles more, it falls into the Parnahiba. Its current is rapid, and almost uni- 

 versally through a flat country, abounding with cattle. It affords navigation 

 only during the winter, has one fall a few leagues above its mouth, and its 

 waters are of a greenish colour. 



The river Pirahim originates nine leagues to the east of the preceding, at the 

 base of the same serra, which forms the boundary on the side of Pernambuco, 

 and, after seventy miles of course northward, it traverses the lake Pernagua, 

 and fifty miles lower enters the Parnahiba. It runs almost generally between 

 narrow banks, and with considerable depth through a solid soil. 



The Caninde has its source near Serra Dois Irmaos, runs northward, and 

 passes within two miles of Oeyras ; and seventy miles further its waters are 

 absorbed by the Parnahiba, after a course of one hundred and eighty miles, 

 through a flat country rich in cattle ; it runs at first only as a current during the 

 period of rains. In the angle of its confluence there is an extensive plain, well 

 adapted for the foundation of a town, and within its precincts every branch of 

 agriculture would not fail to flourish. 



The Itahim rises near the southern boundary of the province, passes near the 

 serra Vermelha, flowing for a considerable space parallel with the Caninde, 

 which it joins on the right eighteen miles above Oeyras, after having traversed 

 an extensive country abounding with cattle. Its largest confluent is the small 

 river Guaribis, which has a considerable course, and joins it, by the right margin, 

 eight miles above its mouth. 



The Piauhy, from which the province derives its name, originates near the 

 boundary, runs north, and enters the Caninde fifty miles below the capital, after 

 a course of one hundred and forty miles, through lands affording pasturage for 

 cattle. 



The river Longa rises in the campos of the town of Campo Maior, passing it 

 within eight miles, and taking a northerly direction. Among other small rivers 

 which enlarge it, are the Sorubira, the Maratahoan, running through a bed of 

 amolar stone, and the Piracruca, which comes from the Serra Hibiapaba. It is 

 only considerable during rains, and navigable for the space of twenty miles to 

 the situation of Victoria. Near its margins, which abound with cattle and 

 capibaras, there are many lakes : some are considerable, and have small islands, 

 but the whole are dried up immediately the river begins to be impoverished by 

 drought. 



