Tapahos

The Tapaj�s, running through a humid, hot and unhealthy valley, pours into the Amazon river 500 miles above Par� and is about 1200 miles long. It rises on the lofty Brazilian plateau near Diamantino[?] in 14 degrees 25' southers latitude. Near this place a number of streams unite to form the river Arinos[?], which at latitude 10 degrees 25' joins the Juruena[?] to form the Alto Tapaj�s[?], so called as low down as the Rio Manoel[?], entering from the east. Thence to Santar�m[?] the stream is known as the Tapaj�s. The lower Arinos[?], the Alto Tapajos[?] and the Tapajos to the last rapid, the Maranh�o Grande[?], is a continuous series of formidable cataracts and rapids; but from the Maranhao Grande to its mouth, about 188 miles, the river can be navigated by large vessels. For its last 100 miles it is from 4 to 9 miles wide and much of it very deep. The valley of the Tapaj�s is bordered on both sides by bluffs. They are from 300 to 400 foot high along the lower river; but, a few miles above Santar�m, they retire from the eastern side and only approach the Amazon flood-plain some miles below Santar�m.