Humboldt's travels and discoveries in South America - Alexander von Humboldt - Google Books

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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. 1769-1799.

Birth and education of Humboldt-Early love of travel, and pro-

jected expeditions-Receives permission to travel in South Ame-

rica-Arrival at Cumana-Extraordinary phenomenon on the

Plain of Cumana-Bathing-Description of the city.

CHAPTER II. 1799.

Excursions from Cumana-The Alps of America-Cabins of the

Mestizoes-Ridge named The Impossible-South American

forests-Bamboo plants-Village of San Fernando-The Supe-

rior of the Mission-Town of Cumanacoa-Ravages of wild

beasts-Cavern with luminous exhalations.

CHAPTER III. 1799.

PAGE

The Plateau of Cocollar-View therefrom-Missions of San An-

tonio and Guanaguana-Perilous passage into the Valley of

Caripe-The Convent of Caripe-The Cave of Guacharo, and its

nocturnal birds-Forest of Santa Maria-Magnificent vegetation

-The mission of Catuaro-Condition of the Negroes-The

town of Cariaco-Its unhealthiness-Return to Cumana-Gene-

ral remarks on the Indians of New Andalusia-Effects of the

Missions-The Aborigines of America.

CHAPTER IV. 1799.

Residence at Cumana-The travellers attacked by a Zambo-Eclipse

of the sun-Singular phenomena-an earthquake-Remarkable

display of fire-balls and falling stars.

CHAPTER V. 1799.

Departure from Cumana-Sensations on leaving it-Voyage along

the coast-Unhealthiness of the low shores-Influence of man-

groves, and other trees in causing it-Situation of La Guayra-

Its excessive heat-Introduction of the yellow fever therein-

Road thence to Caraccas.

CHAPTER VI. 1799.

The city of Caraccas-Physical and social aspect of Venezuela-

Native population-Description of Caraccas-Its climate-The

adjoining mountains-Character of the inhabitants-Excursion

to the summit of the Silla-Difficulties of journey-View from

the summit-The descent-Gold and silver mines of Venezuela.

Earthquake at Caraccas in 1812-Subterranean commotions in Ame-

rica in 1811 and 1812-Destruction of the city-lamentable loss

of life-Exhumation of the wounded-Moral effects of the cala-

mity-Wide extent of the earthquake.

CHAPTER VIII. 1800.

·

Departure from Caraccas-Rich vegetation of the valley-Moun-

tains of Higuerota-Valley of the Tuy-Excursion to its gold

mine-Enormous trunks of fig-trees-Prosperity of the towns

and villages-The Zamang of Guayra-The Hacienda de Cura-

The Lake of Valencia-Its cultivated shores-Diminution of its

waters-Its islands-Town of New Valencia-Hot springs-Por-

to Cabello-The Cow-tree.

CHAPTER IX. 1800.

Departure from the valleys of Aragua-Entrance into the Llanos,

or plains-Their appearance-Characteristics of the plains of

the four great continents; Prairies, Llanos, and Pampas-

Want of hills in the Llanos-Two kinds of slight inequalities

in them-General outline of the mountains of South America,

and of its plains-Traces of ancient inhabitants-Palm-trees

CHAPTER X. 1800.

Journey across the Llanos-Fatigue of travelling-Farm of El Cay-

man-Town of Calabozo-An ingenious inhabitant-Gymnoti,

or electrical eels-Combat between the eels and horses-Descrip-

tion of the gymnoti-Effects of their shocks-The natives' dread

of them-Departure from Calabozo-Heat and dust of the Llanos

-An Indian girl found exhausted on the ground-The river Uri-

tuco and its crocodiles-Singular story of a crocodile-Arrival at

San Fernando-Heat of that place-Periodical inundations, and

destruction of horses.

Preparations for the voyage down the Apure-The tribe of the Ya-

ruroes-Wild animals on the banks of the river-The vegetation

-Crocodiles-Story of an Indian girl seized by one-Chiguires-

An enormous jaguar-Senor Don Ignacio, the jaguar hunter-

Incidents of a night-Nocturnal noises in the forests-The Caribe

fish-Humboldt's Adventure with a jaguar-Manatees-Junc-

ture of the Apure and Orinoco

CONTENTS.

Embarkation on the Orinoco-Change of scenery-A Carib Chicf-

tain-Traditions of the Natives-Gathering of turtles' eggs on

the shores of the Orinoco-The Missionaries-Cunning of the

Departure from the Boca de la Tortuga-Accident on the river from

the high wind-A night on a barren island-Lethargy of the cro-

codiles during the dry seasons-Passage of Baraguan-Aspect

of nature-Impurities of the waters-Painted Indians at Para-

ruma-Curious species of monkeys-Their sagacity

Departure from Pararuma-Mode of navigating the Orinoco -- Mili-

tary conversion of the natives-Inundations of the river-Ancient

floods-Rapids and cascades-Subterranean sounds- Memno-

nium-TheMeta-The Stone of Patience-Sufferings from insects

-Arrival at Panumana

The Cataracts of the Orinoco-Marvellous narratives of the country

above the cataracts - Panumana - Maladies - Regions round

Atures and Maypures-Natural rafts of the Orinoco-Natural

dikes-Increased intensity of nocturnal sounds-Atures-Pro-

pensities of animals-Hairy man of the woods-Plague of insects

-Table-lands of the Andes free from the plague of moschetoes . 179

Departure from Atures-Cataract of Maypures-Region beyond the

Great Cataracts-Black Waters-Arrival at San Fernando de

Atabapo-Bats of Aricagua

Departure from the Orinoco, and ascent of the river Atabapo-

Mission of San Balthasar-Rock of the Mother; origin of its

name-Connexion of the Orinoco with the river Amazon-Da-

picho-They embark on the Pimichin stream

Voyage down the Rio Negro-Christian settlements-Ants-The

Cassiquiare-Esmeralda-The Curare-They arrive again at San

Fernando de Atabapo-Cavern of Ataruipe-Earth-eating In-

dians They reach Angostura, and set out for Cumana

Adventure with the privateer and the Hawk sloop of war-Captain

Garnier-They arrive at Cumana-Optical phenomena - They

arrive at Havannah-at Batabano-They leave Cuba-Arrive at

the Rio Sinu-Maroon negroes-Carthagena-Turbaco-Air-vol-

canoes-They arrive at Santa Fé de Bogota-Cataract of Tequen-

dama-Natural bridges of Icononzo-Pass of Quindiu-Cargueros

-Cataracts of the Rio Vinaigre-Ridges of the Cordilleras→→→

They arrive at Quito-Mountains of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo→

They proceed towards Lima-Arrive at Loxa-Return to Peru-

Sojourn at Lima-Set out for Guayaquil—Arrive at Acapulco

The travellers visit the most remarkable places of Mexico-Cascade

of Regla-Volcano of Jorullo-They return to Mexico-Great

pyramid of Cholula - Perote-Small-pox-Canal of Mexico-

Condition of Agriculture-The mines-They visit the United

States-They return to Europe-Fate of Bonpland-of Hum-

boldt-Visit of the latter to Asia-Conclusion

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