New-York tribune., 1870-09-19
THE RIVAL OF NIAGARA.

THE GREAT CATARACT IN SOUTH AMERICA
NEARLY EIGHT HUNDRED FEET FALL-A
COLUMN OF SNOW WHITE FOAM.
Mr.. Richard Brown writes to The London
Times, the Goth ult.:
the month of April last waterfall OF most unusual
hi ght was discovered the Potaro tributary Of the
Essequebo River. by Mr.. c. b. Brown Of the Geological
Survey Of British Guiana Being short Of provisions
and at great distance from his boats Mr.. Brown
not able 10 devote than couple Of hours TO the
amin alton of the falls which, by hasy baomerical OBJ
servaons he found be nearly 900 feet in hight, the
breadth the at the top Of the falls being 100 yards
and its depth Is feet On his return TO Georgetown. in
of the strong desire expressed by the
unty that careful survey should be made of the falls
without delay, Mr.. Brown was instructed by the Gov
ernor TO proceed 10 the falls for that purpose ac
companied by Sir q. Young, Mr. Charles Mitchell, and
Mr. King The result vi their journey is embodied In the
incosed article published in Demerara paper Of the sd
ins which, perhaps, you will deem Of sufficient interest
to insert in the columns Of your wideycrculaed journal
Sir George Young gives the following detailed descrip-
ton Of the cataract to a Georgetown paper:
Although | AIN that Mr., Brown, as discov-
of the Great Kaeteur FAIL and the direct to the
successful expedition which we permitted 10 accom-
pany should have the telling OF his story yet can
understand that his friends in Georgetown VIII be
anxious 10 hear at Of his The Fall has
clear descent, 30 70 barometrical observations
taken simultaneously by Mr. Brown at the bottom. and
by my colleague, Mr. Mitchell at the top, Of $50 feet.
Above, the Potaro gides smoothly slight depression
OF the table of cOngOmerate sandstone and disappears
the edge in body which estimated at 80 yards
in width and Of depth uncertain in the center but shall
lowing rapidly toward either bank. When Mr. Brown
discovered the Fall i'll April the rocky channel
plctey covered and the stream must have had width
OF at least 100 yards At present it is diminishing in
volume and the Indians assured will continue
do till October when only the central and deeper pOr
tOn about Onethrd of the whole, will remain. The best
time, therefore, for visit Is Spring at the end of what
appears TO be the rainy OF this elevated tract.
''As the Fail | cannot imag anything
beautiful The central portion, whcis dry forms
a small horseshoe rcentering angle and the water in
this part preserves its consistency for short distance
from the ledge. But everywhere else and here also
few feet from the top. all sembance OF water disappears
II breaks up or blossoms, into fine foam spray which
desCends inc well known rOcketke forms of the Staub
bach and similar waterfalls but multiplied thousand
times into small dark pool over semcrcular curtain
The behind the Fail Is the home OF thousands OF
swallows which Issue from IN the morning, and may
be returning In their multitudes AT night The FAN
nSclfI one vast descending column OF line dryOOk-
ing, snOw-white substance, bearing a resemblance, in
color and consistency, 20 the of avalanche but
surprising all ayalanches have in size and ia the
beauty OF The forms taken ~ the material of the Fall
RainbOws OF great spendOr observed from the
front of the Fa In the morning, from the summit in
the afternoOl but this last reverted forming cOlOred
loop ring, into which the whole mass seemed 10 pre-
cpiate tsef ana disappear. and dart out underneath
black and foaming at the gorge ana outlet ~ the pool
ave spent IL days ia ascending the Essedueb0 which
anticipated Five days brought us from Tumttumari
the lowest Fall the PotarO, to the PatanouE VILLAGE
IN this stage there are five eataracts, two Of which
least inaccessible We spent two days IN whiting the
foot and summit Of the FIl aud descended the settle
inent leaving Messrs Brown ana King 10 complete ihe
survey aud skc chcf OF the country IN fOur dnYs anu
half - expect our companions by ihc sri..f ou the
ri = atfust hen this imperfect record V.lI be tnp-
s.lGrnted We l-id nnc weather. and au fed nothing