THE AMAZON VALLEY, 



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A somewhat similar phenomenon is seen at the mouth of 

 the Tapaj 6z. Here, at the end of the dry season, there is but 

 a small body of water, and the current is very sluggish. The 

 Amazon, however, rises considerably with the tides, and its 

 waters then become higher than those of the Tapajoz, and 

 they therefore enter into that river and force it back ; we then 

 see the Amazon flowing rapidly down, at the same time that 

 the Tapajoz is flowing up. 



It seems to be still a disputed question among geographers, 

 whether the Para river is or is not a branch of the Amazon. 

 From my own observation, I am decidedly of opinion that it 

 is not : it appears to me to be merely the outlet of the 

 Tocantms and of numerous other small streams. The canal 

 or channel of Tagipuru, which connects it with the Amazon, 

 and by which all the trade between Para and the interior is 

 carried on, is one of a complete network of channels, along 

 which the tide ebbs and flows, so as in a great measure to 

 disguise the true direction and velocity of its current. It 

 seems probable that not a drop of Amazon water finds its way 

 by this channel into the Para river, and I ground my opinion 

 upon the following facts. 



It is well known, that in a tidal river the ebb-tide will 

 continue longer than the flood, because the stream of the river 

 requires to be overcome, and thus delays the commencement 

 of the flood, while it facilitates that of the ebb. This is very 

 remarkable in all the smaller rivers about Para. Taking this 

 as our guide, we shall be able to ascertain which way the 

 current in the Tagipuru sets, independently of the tide. 



On my journey from Para to the Amazon, our canoe could 

 only proceed with the tide, having to wait moored to the bank 

 while it was against us, so that we were of course anxious to 

 find the time of our tedious stoppages diminished. Up to a 

 certain point, we always had to wait more time than we were 

 moving, showing that the current set against us and towards 

 Para; but after passing that point, where there was a bend, 

 and several streams met, we had but a short time to wait, and 

 a long ebb in our favour, showing that the current was with us 

 or towards the Amazon, whereas it would evidently have been 

 different had there been any permanent current flowing from 

 the Amazon through the Tagipuru towards Para. 



I therefore look upon the Tagipuru as a channel formed by 



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