Page:Letters from the Battle-fields of Paraguay (1870).djvu/396



360 FROM htjmaitA to guardia tacuAra.

the land is evidently on a higher plane. A reddish-yellow line crosses the mouthy and for a short distance forms a distinct vein along the right bank of the Paraguay.

Above the Bermejo the vegetation is on a larger scale : the current of the main artery slackens,, and the vrater becomes limpid as that of the Parana. The eastern bank is concealed by the long, narrow river-curves which the furado forms. Presently, where Lieutenant Day^s chart (1858) shows " narrow pass, 21 to 24 feet/^ we found an island splitting the channel, and growing trees twenty-five feet high. This place adds a fresh instance to Dobriz- hofPer^s chapter upon " The creation of fresh islands, and the destruction of old ones." The extent of physical change may be estimated by comparing the chart with the running survey of Captain Sullivan, R.N., between Parana and Corrientes, in 1847 ; and a careful study of the current-action might detect some natural law governing the oscillatory movements of meridional waters.

About three miles above the newly created island is the little town with the long name. Villa de Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Neembucu, which formerly was tout bonnewent Neembucu. The latter word, also written Nembucu, is the name of a large estero lying to the east of the Paraguay, and it is translated " palavra larga," — a long word, possibly from the extent of the swamp. Between El Pilar and the Parana river, the surface of 7 to 8 Paraguayan leagues,* forming the Guazucua Department, is said to be all mud and water. The distance from Humaita is computed at fifteen miles along the land road, and seven leagues by the river. Between El Pilar and the Estancia de Yacare, where the Brazilian headquarters now are, is a seven- league march.

both, however, are estimated, not measured.
 * The Paragua3'an league reckons 5000, and the Correntine 6000 varas :

FROM humaitA to guardia tacuAra.