266 



RIVERS. 



a course towards the east, finds its way to the 

 Parana. In the dry season it loses itself in a 

 marsh, but emerging again takes the name of 

 Carcaranna, and finally discharges its waters into 

 the mighty Parana, eighteen leagues from Santa 

 F6. When the waters are high it is fit for the 

 navigation of boats. During part of its course it 

 becomes salt ; a property which is common to 

 nearly all the rivers flowing languidly through 

 the plains, and ending in swamps or lakes. 

 Gigantic bones were found by Falkner in the 

 bed of the Carcaranna, which, like those men- 

 tioned by Garcillaso, were for a time supposed 

 to be human, but which are now known to have 

 belonged to the Megatherium and Mastodon, 

 of which specimens have been brought to this 

 country. The natives boast of the waters of 

 several of these rivers. The Quinto, when very 

 much swollen, communicates with a river called 



