NOTES ON BRAZIL, 



169 



distant from the coast to be as yet much known. The principal 

 branch, which forms a part of the boundaries of the Province, rises in a 

 level country, though in the midst of mountains. Its name, lapoguazu, 

 a compound word meaning the great lake, seems to intimate that it 

 occasionally overflows the plains. In running North-west, about a 

 hundred miles, it receives many streams, the chief of which are the 

 Caziguay from the Eastward, and the Toropy from the North-east ; the 

 latter a considerable stream, and bringing with it the waters of the 

 Ybicuy-mirim. From this junction, called the Forks, the Ibicu^ 

 stretches away to the Westward, receives the Jaguary, a winding, placid 

 river, with much wood on its banks, and far below discharges itself into 

 the Uruguay. 



This great receptacle of minor streams rises near the coast, opposite 

 to the island of St. Catherine's, runs Westward under the name of 

 Pellotas, draining a vast extent of country ; then changing its course to 

 the South-west and South, it changes also its name, and becomes the 

 Uruguay or Red River. From the spot where it joins the Plata it is 

 navigable for launches two hundred miles, and for canoas two hundred 

 more ; but its bed is generally rocky, and its current swift. The Pellotas 

 and the upper part of the Uruguay have many falls. 



Y 



