m these limitsxe2x80x94some scattered and intermediate
ridges exceptedxe2x80x94the country is extremely level,
the hills generally not exceeding 540 feet of ele-
vation above their bases; and the whole being a
vast extended plain, covered with lakes and in-
numerable rivers, many of which, though equal
to some of the largest in Europe, flow unregard-
ed and nameless, and are viewed merety as tribu-
tary streams. Few of them, however, reach the
sea, being either lost in the lakes, or stopped in
the level plains, where they are soon absorbed or
insensibly evaporated. The uniform levelness
of this tract is so great, that it has been calculated
by barometrical observation, that the great river
Paraguay, in its prog-ess to the south, does not
fall abpve one foot in perpendicular height, be-
tween the parallels of 18. and 22. S. lat. or 280
miles direct distance, but much more by the
course of the stream. Even when the winds from
the S. E. occasion the rivers of Buenos Ayres to
rise seven faet above their usual level, this rise is
observed in 'the Parana, at the distance of 60
leagues. In consequence of this flatness of the
soil, the rains which fall on the Andes are stop-
ped where they descend into the plains, and are
insensibly evaporated ; so that a number of rivu-
lets which, if collected on a different configura-
tion of surface, would form a large stream, are
thus stopped and annihilated. This physical de-
fect cannot be supplied by any artificial means ;
far the same cause which prevents the superflu-
ous moisture from finding its way to the sea,
would equally prevent its conveyance by canals.
In Buenos Avres, and other towns situated on
the banks of rivers, it is always found necessary
to use a pump, in order to raise the water to the
level of the town. This very circumstance,
which produces the effects above described, is
equally favourable to the formation of lakes. As
the superfluous waters caused by the periodical
rains, have no outlet, from the defect of descent,
and cannot be absorbed by the soil, they are
necessarily collected in the flat parts of the coun-
try, where they spread to a great extent, cover-
ing an immense space, but of no depth any
where.

Most of the lakes are of this description ; and
among these is the celebrated lake of Xarayes,
which is nothing else than the superfluous waters
of the Paraguay, when swelled by the tropical
rains, spread over an immense flat, and partly
evaporated, and partly carried off by the river
when it begins to retire within its banks. This
marsh was formerly supposed to be its source ;
and many fables were circulated concerning it, as
having a beautiful island in its centre : which,
from the salubrity of its atmosphere, its perennial
verdure, and exuberant fertility, was called xe2x80x98 the
Island of Paradise,’ and was said to be inhabited
by the Orejones, a Peruvian tribe, which had
taken refuge here at the time of the conquest.
The number of crocodiles in this marsh is im-
mense ; and in the vicinity are found pumas,
jaguars, stags, and monkeys of various kinds;
the country also swarms with ants, moschetoes,
and innumerable noxious insects. During the
inundation, the Portuguese (from their settle-
ments on the Cuyaba) cross it in canoes and
small barks. When the inundation has ceased,
the whole plain is completely dry, and covered
with weeds and other plants. Of the same kind
are the lakes of Aguasaeaty in S. lat. 25., and
Numbucu, in 27. S. lat., and in general all those to
the E. of-the Paraguay,

The lake of Iberi, or Caracares, lies between
the Uraguay and the Parana. For 30 leagues,
the northern boundary of this lake runs parallel
with the former river, and extends as far to the
south. From its S. extremity the river Mirinay
runs into the Uraguay; and from its W. and S
W. sides, three other large streams issue, namely
the Santa Lucia, Corientes, and BatUcs, and fall
into the Parana. None of these streams are for-
dable. Its greatest breadth is 46 miles. This
lake neither receives rivers, brooks, nor sprincis,
but is entirely nourished by the simple filtration
of the waters of the Parana,xe2x80x94a phenomenon of
which there is not another known instance in the
world. This filtration alone supplies not only
the four great rivers issuing from it, but also the
vast quantity carried off by evaporation from a
surface of 8,000 square miles; which, according
to Hailey’s calculation, must be equal to 70,000
tons daily, allowing the mean temperature to be
the same as that of England. This watery ex
panse, however, is generally very shallow, and
filled with aquatic plants, so that its interior is
completely inaccessible. The islands with which
it is studded are well-stocked with deer and other
game : flocks of wild fowl are always skimming
on its surface, its fish are numerous, and very
sweet and fresh, and many flourishing settle-
ments are made on its shores. This lake over-
flows twice-a-year. During the intervals be-
tween the inundation*?, it has the appearance of
an immense swamp, with 12 lakes dispersed at
different distances.

There are other lakes, which stagnate in ex-
tensive flats, and being shallow, cover a o-reat
surface of ground ; and which, consequently di-
minish the quantity of arable land. In the south-
ern parts of this territory, and E. of the Plata,
a chain of salt lakes extends E. from the Andes
to this river. One of these lakes, in particular,
360 miles S. W. of Buenos Ayres, is remarkably
salt. It is about 18 miles in circuit; and the
salt found at the bottom is so hard and thick,
that it is difficult to break it with iron tools.
About 300 carts are annually loaded with it, and
carried to Bueiros Ayres; and what is very re-
markable in this chain is, that a few of the lakes
are fresh, though during the rains they are so
swelled as to communicate frequently with those
that are salt. Ah the springs throughout the
greater part of the flat country W. of the Parana
and Paraguay, are more or less salt, and few of
the rivers can be drunk till they enter the Parana.
The soil of this region, extending about 700 m. in
length, and 190 m. in breadth, is saturated with
fossil salt.

The western parts of this country, are generally
mountainous, comprehending within their limit's
some of the loftiest ridges of the Andes. From
the great chain of Andes, branches diverge in dif-
ferent places, extending far into the interior. Of
these, the mountains of Cordova Achala, in the
province of Tucuman, and those of the still more
western province of Cuyo, form secondary ridges ;
and another ridge of the same kind brandies off
in the latitude of the great river Colorado, or
Desaguadero, which, under the Indian appellation
of Casuhati, runs nearly across to the Atlantic.
The southern mountains are covered with thick
impenetrable woods, and are little known. The
Brazilian range on the E. is also of secondary
elevation, generally covered with thick forests,
interspersed with extensive tracts wholly desti-
tute of vegetation. This extensive chain is con