Volume 1

Aspects of nature in different lands and different climates; with scientific elucidations / By Alexander von Humboldt. Translated by Mrs. Sabine.

  • Humboldt, Alexander von, 1769-1859.
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Aspects of nature in different lands and different climates; with scientific elucidations / By Alexander von Humboldt. Translated by Mrs. Sabine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    (8526 E.) leet there often only remains an open channel of twenty feet in width. The eastern side is now much more inaccessible and dangerous than the western. At the confluence of the Cameji with the Orinoco, goods are unladen in order that the empty canoe, or, as it is here called, the Piragua, may be conveyed by Indians well ac- quainted with the Kaudal to the mouth of the Toparo, where the danger is considered to be past. Where the separate rocks or steps (each of which is designated by a particular name) are not much above two or three feet high, the natives, if descending the stream, venture, remaining them- selves in the canoe, to let it go down the falls : if they are ascending the stream they leave the boat, swim forward, and when after many unsuccessful attempts they have suc- ceeded in casting a rope round the points of rock which rise above the broken water, they draw up their vessel, which is often either overset or entirely filled with water in the course of these laborious proceedings. Sometimes, and it is the only case which gives the natives any uneasiness, the canoe is dashed in pieces against the rocks; the men have then to disengage themselves with bleeding bodies from the wreck and from the whirling force of the torrent, and to gain the shore by swimming. W here the rocky steps are very high and extend across the entire bed of the river, the light boat is brought to land and drawn along the bank by means of branches of trees placed undei it as rollers. The most celebrated and difficult steps, those of Purnna-