These may be seen in groups of six or eight, sunning themselves on the slimy banks of the river or on the numerous sandbanks.

They vary in length from six to fifteen feet.

On the approach of the steamer, several started up, affrighted by the noise, and glided hastily into the dirty yellow stream.
The different branches of the Sonderbunds and the Gury are often so narrow that there is hardly room for two vessels to pass each other; while, on the other hand, they frequently expand into lakes that are miles across.

In spite, too, of the precaution of only proceeding by day, on account of the numerous sandbanks and shallows, accidents are of frequent occurrence.

We ourselves did not come off scot free.