The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

EIO GEAXDE DO SUL—EIYEES. 239
Rivers.
Numerous rivers converge in the Lagoa dos Patos, which sends its overflow
through the Rio Grande to the Atlantic. The chief affluent, known bv various
numes, is formed towards the centre of the State by the junction of the Yacacahy
and Jacuhy, the latter being considered the main branch. Below a great cataract
the river becomes na^"iguble, and rapidly increases in volume by the contributions
of the Taquary, Cahy, Eio dos Sinos, and other tributaries, mostly descending
from the northern uplands. Lower down the Jacuhy develops into an estuary,
and under the name of Guahyba, fulls through a strait iuto the Lagoa dos
Patos.
The Lagoa ilirim is fed by the Cebolaty from Uruguay and by the Jaguarao
frontier stream, and discharges its overflow north-eastwards to the Lagoa dos
Patos through the Sangradouro (S. Goncalo) channel. This emissary, which is
joined by the Rio Piratinim, has been deepened and canalised, and is now
utilised by trading steamers between the two lagoons. Unfortunately a dan-
gerous bar, the scene of many shipwrecks, obstructs the navigation of the Rio
Grande do Sul, through which this extensive system of inland waters com-
municates with the Atlantic.
On the north-east and north-west Rio Grande is bounded by the Uruguay,
which rises withiu Brazilian territory, and for the greater part of its coui'se
either flows through or borders Brazilian lands. It has its source in the Scrra
do Mar, within thirty miles of the Atlantic, and under various names traverses
the region of the campos. From Eio Grande it receives the Uruguay Mirim,
" Little Uruguay," and from Santa Cathariua numerous affluents, amongst others,
the Chapeco and Pepiry Guassu, which have given rise to so many discussions on
the subject of the Brazilo-Argentine frontiers.
Below the Pepiry Guassu, " Big Straw-Coloured River," the Uruguay forms
the Salto Grande, " Great Falls," where it turns abruptly from the west to the
south-west, retaining this direction throughout the whole section of its course
between the conterminous republics. In this region its largest affluent is the
Ibicuy Grande, which is accessible to small craft for some hundred miles. The
maiastream is also navigable, but interrupted at intervals by rapids, so that free
navigation begins far to the south of Brazilian territory below the rapids at Salto,
a town in Uruguay.
Clim.\te.
In Rio Grande, southernmost of the Brazilian States, the seasons are as
distinctly marked as in Europe, and the range of temperature between the hot
summers and cold winters sometimes exceeds 70" Fahr. In January and February
the thermometer has recorded 100^ and 102' Fahr., while the ground is covered with
snow in July. In the hilly districts the glass falls at times to 17"^ or 16" Fahr., but
such extremes are rare, and the mean range between the greatest heat and