As regards the section above Santa Fe, the engineer Repossini advises that, instead of adopting a programme of expensive dredging with uncertain results, they should first think of adjusting navigation to the natural conditions, and they are such as would be considered very favourable in Europe. The hydrographic service would, however, still have two functions: in the first place, the topographical study of the river and the constant placing of buoys, and, in the second place, the observation of its behaviour and anticipation of variations of level. The utility of the work of foreseeing floods, which has been carried on since 1907, has been abundantly proved. It published a daily bulletin of forecasts, based upon observation of the pluviometric scales of the upper river, which is equally valuable to the navigators and to breeders in the floodable area. It enables the breeders to get their cattle into safety before the floods come. On the other hand, the ship can, thanks to the bulletin, foretell what depth of water it will find at critical passages, and calculate exactly the load it can carry, and so complete its cargo lower down. The service of forecast of floods has morally improved navigation on the Parana by suppressing every possible pretext for wilful stranding, which had become a current form of speculation. * * * * * Nothing is more varied than the fleet which now serves the Parana. It includes tramps, and long, slim European ships, which load up with cereals and meat; large river boats, luxurious and light; barges and tugs, lighters and schooners, which have compensation for their slowness in their cheapness. As regards navigation, the river is now divided into three sections. Maritime navigation ascends as far as Santa Fe. At Rosario and Santa Fe it goes right to the heart of the zone of cereals and to the fringe of the forest area. The upper section, between Rosario and Santa Fe, is less safe than the lower section, and this is reflected in the cost of freightage from Santa Fe.