The Paranna takes this name at the confluence of the Paranahyba, which comes from the centre of Goyaz, and the Rio Grande, which issues from the interior of Minas Geraes, both considerable. After a course of many leagues, and having gathered various streams by both margins, it forms a large and interesting fall denominated Urubu Punga, which is an insurmountable barrier to all sorts of fish; and, consequently, there are in its vicinity immense shoals of divers kinds, which may become a lucrative branch of commerce to the future dwellers near this magnificent cascade, which produces a loud murmur that is heard at the distance of many leagues.
A little below it, the river Cururuhy discharges itself, flows from the interior of Goyaz, and traverses the territory of the Cayapos. About ten miles lower, it receives the waters of the important river Tiete, in front of which embouchure there are two islands, each about ten miles long.
Seven miles further, the river Sucurihu enters it by the western bank, below the mouth of which there is a dangerous current, called Jupia.
Five miles lower, the island of Comprida (Long Island) commences, which is upwards of twenty miles in extent; and eight miles below its southern extremity, the river Aguapehi flows into the Paranna, on the left margin; and fifteen miles further, the Verde, on the western side, in front of its mouth, there are two parallel islands, neither exceeding a league in length.
Thirty-five miles below the preceding tributary, the small river Onca enters it by the same margin; and about fifty miles further, it is increased by the Pardo, which also enters on the right, and affords a communication to Camapuan.
Five miles below this confluence is that of the inconsiderable river St. Anastaçio, which flows from the east. Eighty miles further, the Parannapanema enters, opposite the mouth of which there is an island about seven miles in extent: four miles beyond its southern point, another commences, of ten miles in length; and a little below the latter, a third, which is nearly thirty miles long. Three miles further than the southern extremity of this island, the central mouth of the river Ivinheyma is discovered, which flows from the west.
The Paranna is here little less than seven miles in width, and contains a number of large islands. Near thirty miles below the Ivinheyma, the Ivahi discharges, flowing hither in a westerly direction, and six miles beyond its mouth, is an island near fifteen miles long; in front of its centre, the Amambahy contributes its volume to the Paranna, after a course from the westward.
In the vicinity of the last isle, is the island of Grande, or Large Island, not being much less in extent than seventy miles, and of considerable width; it terminates four miles above the Seven Falls. A little more than seven miles above the southern point of this island, the river Iguatimy enters the Paranna on the western margin, in latitude 24° 40′; and in a little higher latitude the Piquiry. Ten miles to the south of the first, it receives, by the right bank, the small river Iguarei, nearest to the Seven Falls.
At the extremity of the Great Island, the current of the Paranna is much accelerated, and augments proportionably as its margins approximate; and from near four miles of width, which it retains in front of the Iguarei, it diminishes to fifty fathoms, its immense volume of waters being then divided into seven channels, formed by six small islands of rock, traversing the serra of Maracaju, with a current of indescribable fury and awful noise.
Besides the islands already mentioned in this river, there are a vast number of others, of a smaller size, in the great space that intervenes between the Setequedas and the fall of Urubu Punga. Its waters are turbulent, and ill adapted for drinking. The western margin is flat, in part consisting of a large white sand, with a variety of precious stones, for the space of many leagues without interruption. The eastern bank is generally a little elevated; and both exhibit continued and extensive woods. Without any considerable windings, it runs between the south and south-west, with a current generally slow and majestic; but, when strong winds prevail, the waves are as tumultuous as those of the ocean. It abounds with various kinds of fish, some of which are excellent.