MOUNTAINS OF PAEIME. 
335 
action of volcanic force, the changes in the direction of 
currents, and the consequent swelling of the waters, are veiy 
different from the effects manifested at once over the space 
of several hundred square leagues. 
IV. Group or the Mountains op Patmme. — It is essen- 
tial to mineralogical geography, to designate by one name 
all the mountains that form one system. To attain this end, 
a denomination belonging to a partial group only may be 
extended over the whole chain; or a name maybe employed, 
which, by reason of its novelty, is not likely to give rise to 
homogeiiic mistakes. Mountaineers designate every group 
by a special denomination ; and a chain is generally con- 
sidered as forming a whole only when it is seen from atar 
bounding the horizon of the ])lains. AVe find the name of 
‘ snowy mountains ’ (Himalaya, Imaus) repeated in every 
zone, ‘ white’ (Alpes, Alb), ‘ black,’ and ‘ blue.’ The greater 
part of the Sierra Parime is, as it were, edged round by the 
Orinoco. I have, however, avoided a denomination having 
reference to this circumstance, because the group of moun- 
tains to w'hich I am about to direct attention extends far 
beyond the banks of the Orinoco. It stretches south-east, 
towards the banks of the Kio Negro and the liio Branco, 
to the parallel of 1^° north latitude. The geographical 
name of Parime has the advantage of reviving recollections 
of the fable of El Dorado, and the lofty mountains which, 
in the sixteenth century, were supposed to surround the 
lake Itupunuw’ini, or tlie Laguna de Pai’ime. The mis- 
sionaries of the Orinoco still give the name of Parime to 
the whole of the vast mountainous country comprehended 
between the sources of the Erevato, the Orinoco, the Caroni, 
the liio Parime* (a tributary of the llio Branco), and the 
Itupunuri or Bupunuwini, a tributarv of the Eio Essequibo. 
This country is one of the least known parts of South 
America, and is covered w’ith thick forests and savannahs ; 
it is inhabited by independent Indians, and is intersected 
by rivers of dangerous navigation, owing to the frequency 
of shoals and cataracts. 
* The Rio Parime, after receiving the watera of the XJraricuera, joini 
the acuta, and forms, near the fort of San Joacquim, the Rio Branco, 
one of the tributary streams of the Rio Negro. 
