( sn ) 



north to south, and forty in breadth, at their highest floods, form- 

 ing an apparent lake, which geographers of former days, as well as 

 some moderns, have termed the Xarayes. This inundation con- 

 founds the channel of the great Paraguay with those of its various 

 confluents, in such a manner that, from twenty to thirty leagues 

 above their regular mouths, it is possible, in time of the floods, to 

 navigate across from one to the other, always in deep water, without 

 ever seeing or approaching the banks of the Paraguay. During this 

 wonderful inundation, the high mountains and elevated land which 

 it incloses appear like so many superb islands, and the lower grounds 

 form a labyrinth of lakes, bays, and pools, many of which remain after 

 the floods have subsided. From the intricacy of these inundated 

 plains, the navigation is rendered impracticable to all who do not 

 unite experience with skill. From this position, (the only barrier on 

 the Paraguay,) the banks downward are in general high and firm, 

 particularly the eastern or Portugueze side. In lat. 22* 5', a consi-> 

 ^erable river empties itself into it, which the Spaniards, at the de- 

 marcation in 1753, would have to be the Corrientes, whereas the 

 heads of this river are twenty leagues north of the real Corrientes 

 mentioned in the treaty. 



Between the Paraguay and the Parana there runs from north to 

 south an extensive chain of mountains, which have the appellation 

 pf Amanbay ; they terminate to the south of the river Iguatimy, 

 forming a ridge running east and west, called Maracayer. From 

 these mountains spring all the rivers which, from the Taquari south- 

 ward, enter the Paraguay, and from the same chain, also, proceed 

 many other rivers, which, taking a contrary direction, flow into the 

 Parana, one of them, and the most southerly, being the Igoatimy, 

 which has its mouth in lat. 23° 4*7', a little above the seven falls, or 

 the wonderful cataract of the Parana. This cataract is a most sub- 

 lime spectacle, being distinguished to the eye of the spectator from 

 below by the appearance of six rainbows, and emitting from its fall 

 a constant cloud of vapours, which impregnates the air to a great 



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