331 



Maroa, is from 200 to 250 toises. It is esti- 

 mated by M. de la Condaniine, near the mouth 

 in the Amazon , in the narrowest part, at 

 1200 toises, an increase of 1000 toises on 

 10° of the length of it's course * in a di- 

 rect line. Notwithstanding the still considera- 

 ble volume of water, which we found between 

 Maroa and San Carlos, the Indians assert, that 

 the Guainia rises at five days of navigation 

 west-north-west of the mouth of the Pimichin, 

 in a mountainous country, which gives birth 

 to the sources of the Inirida. As you may go 

 up the Cassiquiare in ten or eleven days from 

 San Carlos to the point of the bifurcation of the 

 Oroonoko, five days' journey may be estimated, 

 as you ascend against a much less rapid current, 

 at a little more than 1° 20' of direct distance ; 

 which would place the sources of the Guainia, 

 according to my observations of the longitude 

 made at Javita and San Carlos, 71° 35' west of 

 the meridian of Paris. Notwithstanding the 

 perfect accordance which prevailed in the testi- 

 mony of the natives, I believe, that the sources 

 are still more to the west ; the boats being able 

 to go up only as far as the bed of the river per- 

 mits. We must not pronounce in too positive 

 a manner from the analogy of the rivers of 

 Europe on the proportion between the breadth 



* Reckoning the mean degree at 57,000 toises. 



