occur for a considerable length of time. There are likewise inundations so low that they form lakes, which disappear solely through evaporation and filtration, leaving a great quantity of fish out of their element to perish unprofitably.

Calculating the immense extent of territory inundated by the Paraná, only from its mouth to Cayastá, of which we can speak with accuracy from our own observations, its waters, during the inundation, cover about one thousand one hundred square leagues; and making an approximate calculation of the whole extent of country which enjoys this beneficial circumstance, from near the tropic of Capricorn, (where the river begins to assume this quality,) to its mouth, the space participating in so vast an advantage, without any aid from art, may be reckoned at about four thousand leagues. Were that gift of nature then made use of there, as near the Nile, who could possibly calculate to what degree of perfection, and with what profitable results, cultivation might be carried? When these countries shall enjoy peace, and the influence of a beneficent government, and one interested in the welfare of the nation; when liberality and toleration shall open the gates of the land to all useful men, without distinction of country or religious worship; when, in short, that epoch, so ardently desired by all who can feel and think, shall arrive, then the great Paraná, which

is capable of producing all that is to be found in the torrid and temperate zones, will gain more celebrity than the Nile; over which, among other advantages, it possesses those of having a greater number of mighty rivers tributary to its waters, and also of being navigable for a greater distance, inasmuch as the Nile can only be navigated to the Isle of Elephants, that is to say, 180 leagues; whereas the Paraná is navigable more than 500, without reckoning the confluent rivers.

ENTRE RIOS.

This is the first province to the north of the river La Plata; situated, like Corrientes, between the rivers Uruguay and Paraná; and in its space many smaller yet important rivers take their rise, watering and fertilizing the territory, as the name given to the province sufficiently indicates. In the annexed map its situation and extent are found correctly traced. From that map alone it may easily be discovered to what a degree of importance that country may arrive, which, besides possessing a great tract of territory, with excellent pastures and waters, enjoys a wholesome temperature, and has the means of exporting its valuable productions by water, from one extremity of the province to the other. Its population at present may be computed at about twenty or thirty thousand inhabitants; although, during the

revolution against Spain, it was exposed to every calamity which could cause depopulation; inasmuch as, like Salta, which was placed in the vanguard of the war of independence on the west, the province of Entre Rios occupied the same position on the east, having, at the same time, to serve as a barrier to the ambition of Brazil. Agriculture and grazing are, and will in future become still more, the true mines of this country. It may be confidently asserted that the Agricultural Association of the Rio de la Plata, established in London, with a capital of a million sterling, for the purpose of sending colonies to that country, will obtain in the province of Entre Rios, where its first attempts are to be directed, advantages which will abundantly compensate it for the use of its capital, and repay the labours of the colonists employed in agriculture.

CORRIENTES.

In order duly to appreciate the importance of this province, as well as of all those watered by the Paraná and Uruguay, it is necessary to bear in mind the description already given of both these mighty rivers. They lie in the direction of the road to the north of Buenos Ayres, commonly called Del Paraguay. Corrientes, one of the most ancient cities, although among the least known, is situated on the banks of the Paraná,

in the temperate zone, participating somewhat in the effects of the torrid. Including the city, it contains a population of about fifty thousand souls, which is not very considerable, because the greater part is distributed throughout the country. Its territory comprises an extent of more than 150 leagues from one extremity to the other, south and north, and with more or less extent east and west, its boundaries being the province of Entre Rios, the river Paraná, the province of Paraguay, and the river Uruguay. The territory of Corrientes is intersected by eleven rivers, of which five are navigable to a certain distance, and may with a little labour be made so to their source. By the greater part of these rivers is formed a celebrated lake, called Ypicú, or Ybera; and they all disembogue themselves into the river Paraná. There are, besides, an infinite number of permanent lakes in all directions throughout its territory, which make it one of the most pleasant and fertile situations possible, and particularly well adapted for the breeding of cattle, for which it is famous. The situation of the city is admirable, and recommends itself at first sight: almost in front of it the river Paraguay forms its junction with the Paraná; the first of which receives the waters of the large river Bermejo, before it mixes with those of the Paraná,a circumstance which is highly advantageous

to Corrientes. It can easily communicate by water with Buenos Ayres and Paraguay, as it always has done; and also with Upper Peru, ́ when the Bermejo is made navigable; an undertaking projected in Salta, bordering on Potosi, and also already resolved on by the Government of Buenos Ayres, partly on account of the great advantages that will ensue from that measure to the internal trade, and partly because the surveys long since made offer every hope that the attempt will be crowned with success. In this district, steam-boats will answer every purpose for which they are destined. The inhabitants of Corrientes are great horsemen, temperate, well adapted for sea-service, sober, and capable of enduring much fatigue; but they are disinclined to work. The facility of subsisting, and the little stimulus that exists there to induce them to make money, appear to be the causes of an inactivity, which, however, they seem to be shaking off by degrees. The women are affable, and pay great attention to foreigners; they are more industrious than the men; employing much of the time left them, after their domestic occupations, in weaving linen, with which, in general, the poorer class are clothed. Agriculture and grazing are the employments likely to be most advantageous here. Tobacco in leaf is produced here, as in Paraguay. The other productions are sugar, the earth pis