260 



from it's bifurcation to San Fernando de Ata- 

 bapo; they would only have to go up a distance 

 half as long as by the Rio Negro and the Canno 

 Pimichin. When arrived at the new canal of 

 Javita, they would descend by the Tuamini, the 

 Temi, the Atabapo, and the Oroonoko, as far as 

 Angostura. This voyage from the frontiers of 

 Brazil to the capital of Guyana might, I believe, 

 be easily performed in twenty-four or twenty- 

 six days ; it is in ordinary weather ten days 

 shorter, and less fatiguing for the rowers {bogas), 

 because the struggle against the currents is one 

 half less than in proceeding by the Cassiquiare*, 



* In the present state of things (without the canal that 1 

 projected being traced) boats have come from the fort of San 

 Carlos on the Rio Negro to Angostura, by the Canno Pimi- 

 chin, not as Father Caulin says, in ten days, but in twenty- 

 three or twenty-four. The following is the conclusion I 

 made from my own experience, compared with the state- 

 ments of the missionaries. You may go, under circumstances 

 moderately favourable, 



By tlie portage of Pimichin, 



By the Cassiquiare, 





days 



days 



From St. Carlos to Javita 





From St. Carlos to the 



in - 



4 



bifurcation in 11 



From Javita to San Fer- 





From the bifurcation, to 



nando 



3 



San Fernando 5 



From San Fernando to 





From San Fernando to 



Carichana 



9 



Atures - 4 



From Carichana to An- 





From Atures to Angos- 



gostura 



12 



tura - 17 



JYom San Carlos to An- 





From San Carlos to An- 



