The Naturalist in Nicaragua: A Narrative of a Residence at the Gold Mines of Chontales; Journeys in the Savannahs and Forests; with Observations on Animals and Plants in Reference to the Theory of Evolution of Living Forms |
From inside the book
Page x
In 1862 Belt returned to England , and his professional engagements led him to
North Wales , Nova Scotia , Central America , and Chontales , Nicaragua . At the
latter place his entomological collection has made him famous . Many PREFACE
...
In 1862 Belt returned to England , and his professional engagements led him to
North Wales , Nova Scotia , Central America , and Chontales , Nicaragua . At the
latter place his entomological collection has made him famous . Many PREFACE
...
Page xxviii
... the latter - Contest between wasps and ants — Waxy secretions of the
homopterous hemiptera . . . . . . . 212 CHAPTER XIII . Matagalpa - Aguardiente -
Fermented liquors of the Indians — The wine - palm - Idleness of the
Nicaraguans — Pine ...
... the latter - Contest between wasps and ants — Waxy secretions of the
homopterous hemiptera . . . . . . . 212 CHAPTER XIII . Matagalpa - Aguardiente -
Fermented liquors of the Indians — The wine - palm - Idleness of the
Nicaraguans — Pine ...
Page 25
A nest that I came across in the latter situation was open at one side . The ants
were clustered together in a dense mass , like a great swarm of bees , hanging
from the roof , but reaching to the ground below . Their innumerable long legs ...
A nest that I came across in the latter situation was open at one side . The ants
were clustered together in a dense mass , like a great swarm of bees , hanging
from the roof , but reaching to the ground below . Their innumerable long legs ...
Page 33
The latter is taken from the Siphonia elastica , a Euphorbiaceous tree ; but in
Central America the tree that yields it is a species of wild fig ( Castilloa elastica ) .
It is easily known by its large leaves , and I saw several whilst ascending the river
.
The latter is taken from the Siphonia elastica , a Euphorbiaceous tree ; but in
Central America the tree that yields it is a species of wild fig ( Castilloa elastica ) .
It is easily known by its large leaves , and I saw several whilst ascending the river
.
Page 37
The Rio Frio comes down from the interior of Costa Rica , and joins the San Juan
, near where the latter issues from the lake . The banks of its upper waters are
inhabited by a race of Indians who have never been subjugated by the Spaniards
...
The Rio Frio comes down from the interior of Costa Rica , and joins the San Juan
, near where the latter issues from the lake . The banks of its upper waters are
inhabited by a race of Indians who have never been subjugated by the Spaniards
...
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Common terms and phrases
America amongst ancient animals ants appear attacks beautiful beetles believe birds branches brought called carried Central America clear close colour common continued covered crossed dark distance excepting feet flowers followed forest four fruit gold grass green ground growing head hills hundred Indians inhabitants insects lake land latter leaves less live lodes look maize miles mineral mines mountain mules natives natural nearly nest never Nicaragua night North numerous origin passed path plains plantains plants probably quartz rain range reached resemblance rising river road rocks Santo Domingo savannahs season seen side sometimes soon species spiders stones surface taken tion told took town travelling trees tropical turned valley variety veins wasp whilst whole young
Popular passages
Page 173 - As we see those animals, whose instinct compels them to live in society and obey a chief, are most capable of improvement, so is it with the races of mankind. Whether we look at it as a cause or a consequence, the more civilized always have the most artificial governments.
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Page 29 - ... necessity; and though no man has anything, yet they are all rich; for what can make a man so rich as to lead a serene and cheerful life, free from anxieties; neither apprehending want himself, nor vexed with the endless complaints of his wife? He is not afraid of the misery of his children, nor is he contriving how to raise a portion for his daughters, but is secure in this, that both he and his wife, his children and grandchildren, to as many generations as he can fancy, will all live both plentifully...
Page 221 - The leaf-catting ants attacked the young plants and defoliated them ; but I have never seen any of the trees out on the savannahs that are guarded by the Pseudomyrma touched by them, and have no doubt the acacia is protected from them by its little warriors. The thorns, when they are first developed, are soft, and filled with a sweetish, pulpy substance; so that the ant, when it makes an entrance into them, finds its new house full of food. It hollows this out, leaving only the hardened shell of...
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Naturalist in Nicaragua: A Narrative of a Residence at the Gold Mines of Chontales; Journeys in the Savannahs and Forests; with Observations on Animals and Plants in Reference to the Theory of Evolution of Living Forms |
| Author | Thomas Belt |
| Edition | 2 |
| Publisher | E. Bumpus, 1888 |
| Original from | the University of Michigan |
| Digitized | 5 sept. 2007 |
| Length | 403 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |