Read Ebook: Views of nature: or Contemplations on the sublime phenomena of creation with scientific illustrations by Humboldt Alexander Von Bohn Henry G Henry George Translator Ott E C Elise C Translator

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Page PUBLISHER'S PREFACE v

SUMMARY OF xvii

VITAL FORCE, OR THE RHODIAN GENIUS 380 Illustration and Note 386

INDEX 437

SUMMARY OF ON STEPPES AND DESERTS pp. 1-21.

Coast-chain and mountain-valleys of Caracas. The Lake of Tacarigua. Contrast between the luxuriant abundance of organic life and the treeless plains. Impressions of space. The steppe as the bottom of an ancient inland sea. Broken strata lying somewhat above the surface, and called Banks. Uniformity of phenomena presented by plains. Heaths of Europe, Pampas and Llanos of South America, African deserts, North Asiatic Steppes. Diversified character of the vegetable covering. Animal life. Pastoral tribes, who have convulsed the world--pp. 1-5.

Description of the South American plains and savannahs. Their extent and climate, the latter dependant on the outline and hypsometrical configuration of the New Continent. Comparison with plains and deserts of Africa--pp. 5-10. Original absence of pastoral life in America. Nutriment yielded by the Mauritia Palm. Pendant huts built in trees. Guaranes--pp. 10-13.

The Llanos have become more habitable to man since the discovery of America. Remarkable increase of wild Oxen, Horses, and Mules. Description of the seasons of drought and rain. Aspect of the ground and sky. Life of animals; their sufferings and combats. Adaptability with which nature has endowed animals and plants. Jaguar, Crocodiles, Electric Fishes. Unequal contest between gymnoti and horses--pp. 13-19.

Retrospective view of the districts which border steppes and deserts. Wilderness of the forest-region between the Orinoco and Amazon rivers. Native tribes separated by wonderful diversity both of language and customs; a toiling and divided race. Figures graven on rocks prove that even these solitudes were once the seat of a civilization now extinct--pp. 19-21.

The island-studded Lake of Tacarigua. Its relation to the mountain-chains. Geognostic tableau. Progress of civilization. Varieties of the sugar-cane. Cacao plantations. Great fertility of soil within the tropics accompanied by great atmospheric insalubrity.--pp. 22-26.

Banks, or broken floetz-strata. General flatness. Land-slips--pp. 26-28.

Resemblance of the distant steppe to the ocean. Naked stony crust, tabular masses of syenite; have they a detrimental effect on the atmosphere?--pp. 28-29.

Modern views on the mountain systems of the two American peninsulas. Chains, which have a direction from S.W. to N.E., in Brazil and in the Atlantic portion of the United States of North America. Depression of the Province of Chiquitos; ridges as watermarks between the Guapor? and Aguapehi in 15? and 17? south lat., and between the fluvial districts of the Orinoco and Rio Negro in 2? and 3? north lat.--pp. 29-31.

Continuation of the Andes-chain north of the isthmus of Panam? through the territory of the Aztecs, and through the Crane and Rocky Mountains. Valuable scientific investigations of Capt. Fr?mont. The greatest barometric levelling ever accomplished, representing a profile of the ground over 28? of longitude. Culminating point of the route from the coast of the Atlantic to the South Sea. The South Pass southward of the Wind-River Mountains. Swelling of the ground in the Great Basin. Long disputed existence of Lake Timpanogos. Coast-chain, Maritime Alps, Sierra Nevada of California. Volcanic eruptions. Cataracts of the Columbia River--pp. 31-38.

General considerations on the contrast between the configuration of the territorial spaces, presented by the two diverging coast-chains, east and west of the central chain, called the Rocky Mountains. Hypsometric constitution of the Eastern Lowland, which is only from 400 to somewhat more than 600 feet above the level of the sea, and of the arid uninhabited plateau of the Great Basin, from 5000 to more than 6000 feet high. Sources of the Mississippi in Lake Istaca according to Nicollet, whose labours are most meritorious. Native land of the Bisons; their ancient domestication in Northern Mexico asserted by Gomara--pp. 38-42.

Retrospective view of the entire Andes-chain from the cliff of Diego Ramirez to Behring's Straits. Long prevalent errors concerning the height of the eastern Andes-chain of Bolivia, especially of the Sorata and Illimani. Four summits of the western chain, which, according to Pentland's latest determinations, surpass the Chimborazo in height, but not the still-active volcano, Aconcagua, measured by Fitz-Roy--pp. 42-44.

The African mountain range of Harudje-el-Abiad. Oases of vegetation, abounding in springs--pp. 44-46.

Westerly winds on the borders of the desert Sahara. Accumulation of sea-weed; present and former position of the great fucus-bank, from the time of Scylax of Caryanda to that of Columbus and to the present period--pp. 46-50.

Tibbos and Tuaryks. The camel and its distribution--pp. 50-53.

Mountain-systems of Central Asia between Northern Siberia and India, between the Altai and the Himalaya, which latter range is aggregated with the Kuen-l?n. Erroneous opinion as to the existence of one immense plateau, the so-called "Plateau de la Tartarie"--pp. 53-56.

Chinese literature a rich source of orographic knowledge. Gradations of the High Lands. Gobi and its direction. Probable mean height of Thibet--pp. 56-63.

The Hiongnu, whom Deguignes and John M?ller considered to be a tribe of Huns, appear rather to be one of the widely spread Turkish races of the Altai and Tangnu mountains. The Huns, whose name was known even to Dionysius Periegetes, and who are described by Ptolemy as Chuns are a Finnish tribe, from the Ural mountains, which separate the two continents--pp. 80-81.

Representations of the sun, animals, and characters, graven on rocks at Sierra Parime, as well as in North America, have frequently been regarded as writing--p. 82.

Description of the cold mountain regions between 11,000 and 13,000 Parisian, or 11,720 and 13,850 English feet in height, which have been designated Paramos. Character of their vegetation--p. 83.

Orographic remarks on the two mountain clusters which separate the three plains of the lower Orinoco, the Amazon, and La Plata rivers from each other--p. 84.

Concerning the Dogs of the New Continent, the aboriginal as well as those from Europe, which have become wild. Sufferings of Cats at heights surpassing 13,854 feet--pp. 85-88.

The Low Land of the Sahara and its relations to the Atlas range, according to the latest reports of Daumas, Carette, and Renou. The barometric measurements of Fournel render it very probable, that part of the north African desert lies below the level of the sea. Oasis of Biscara. Abundance of rock-salt in regions which extend from S.W. to N.E. Causes of nocturnal cold in the desert, according to Melloni--pp. 88-92. Information respecting the River Wadi Dra , which is dry during a great part of the year. Some account of the territory of the Sheikh Beirouk, who is independent of the Emperor of Morocco, according to manuscript communications of Capt. Count Bouet Villaumez, of the French Marine. The mountains north of Cape Nun attain an altitude of 9186 feet--pp. 92-94.

Gramineous vegetation of the American Llanos between the tropics, compared with the herbaceous vegetation of the Steppes in Northern Asia. In these, especially in the most fertile of them, a pleasing effect is afforded in spring by the small snow-white and red flowering Rosaceae, Amygdaleae, the species of Astragalus, Crown-imperial, Cypripedias, and Tulips. Contrast with the desert of the salt-steppes full of Chenopodiae, and of species of Salsola and Atriplex. Numerical considerations with respect to the predominant families. The plains which skirt the Frozen Ocean , are the domain of cryptogamic plants. Physiognomy of the Tundra on an ever-frozen soil, covered with a thick coating of Sphagnum and other foliaceous mosses, or with the snow-white Cenomyce and Stereocaulon paschale--pp. 94-96.

Chief causes of the very unequal distribution of heat in the European and American continents. Direction and inflection of the isothermal lines --pp. 96-105.

Is there reason to believe that America emerged later from the chaotic covering of waters?--pp. 105-107. Thermal comparison between the northern and southern hemispheres in high latitudes--pp. 107-109. Apparent connexion between the sand-seas of Africa, Persia, Kerman, Beloochistan, and Central Asia. On the western portion of the Atlas, and the connection of purely mythical ideas, with geographical legends. Indefinite allusions to fiery eruptions. Triton Lake. Crater forms, south of Hanno's "Bay of the Gorilla Apes." Singular description of the Hollow Atlas, from the Dialexes of Maximus Tyrius--pp. 110-11.

Explanations of the Mountains of the Moon in the interior of Africa, according to Reinaud, Beke, and Ayrton. Werne's instructive report of the second expedition, which was undertaken by command of Mehemet Ali. The Abyssinian high mountain chain, which, according to R?ppell, attains nearly the height of Mont Blanc. The earliest account of the snow between the tropics is contained in the inscription of Adulis, which is of a somewhat later date than Juba. Lofty mountains, which between 6? and 4?, and even more southerly, approach the Bahr-el-Abiad. A considerable rise of ground separates the White Nile from the basin of the Goschop. Line of separation between the waters which flow towards the Mediterranean and Indian seas, according to Carl Zimmermann's map. Lupata chain, according to the instructive researches of Wilhelm Peters--pp. 114-120.

Oceanic currents. In the northern part of the Atlantic the waters are agitated in a true rotatory movement. That the first impulse to the Gulf-stream is to be looked for at the southern apex of Africa, was a fact already known to Sir Humphrey Gilbert in 1560. Influence of the Gulf-stream on the climate of Scandinavia. How it contributed to the discovery of America. Instances of Esquimaux, who, favoured by north-west winds, have been carried, through the returning easterly inclined portion of the warm gulf-stream, to the European coasts. Information of Cornelius Nepos and Pomponius Mela respecting Indians, whom a King of the Boii sent as a present to the Gallic Proconsul Quintus Metellus Celer; and again of others in the times of the Othos, Frederick Barbarossa, Columbus, and Cardinal Bembo. Again, in the years 1682 and 1684, natives of Greenland appeared at the Orkney Islands--pp. 120-125.

Effects of lichens and other cryptogamia in the frigid and temperate zones, in promoting the growth of the larger phanerogamia. In the tropics the preparatory ground-lichens often find substitutes in the oleaginous plants. Lactiferous animals of the New Continent; the Llama, Alpaca, and Guanaco--pp. 125-128. Culture of farinaceous grasses--pp. 128-131. On the earliest population of America--pp. 131-134.

The coast-tribe the Guaranes , and the littoral palm Mauritia, according to Bembo, Raleigh, Hillhouse, Robert and Richard Schomburgk--pp. 134-136.

Phenomena produced in the Steppe by a long drought. Sand-spouts, hot winds, deceptive images by a?rial refraction . The awaking of crocodiles and tortoises after a long summer sleep--pp. 136-142.

Otomaks. General considerations respecting the earth-eating of certain tribes. Unctuous and Infusorial earths--pp. 142-146.

Carved Figures on rocks, which form a belt running east and west from the Rupunuri, Essequibo, and mountains of Pacaraima, to the solitudes of the Cassiquiare. Earliest observation of such traces of an ancient civilization, in the unpublished travels of the Surgeon Nicolas Hortsmann, of Hildesheim, found among d'Anville's papers--pp. 147-151.

The vegetable poison Curare, or Urari--pp. 151-152.

ON THE CATARACTS OF THE ORINOCO, NEAR ATURES AND MAYPURES pp. 153-173.

The Orinoco, general view of its course. Ideas excited in the mind of Columbus on beholding its mouth. Its unknown sources lie to the east of the lofty Duida and of the thickets of Bertholletia. Cause of the principal bends of the river--pp. 153-162. The Falls. Raudal of Maypures, bounded by four streams. Former state of the region. Insular form of the rocks Keri and Oco. Grand spectacle displayed on descending the hill Manimi. A foaming surface, several miles in extent, suddenly presents itself to view. Iron-black masses of tower-like rocks rise precipitately from the bed of the river; the summits of the lofty palms pierce through the clouds of vapoury spray--pp. 162-168.

Raudal of Atures, another island-world. Rock-dykes, connecting one island with the other. They are the resort of the pugnacious, golden-coloured rock manakin. Some parts of the river-bed in the cataracts are dry, in consequence of the waters having formed for themselves a channel through subterranean cavities. Visit to these parts on the approach of night, during a heavy thunder-storm. Unsuspected propinquity of crocodiles--pp. 168-171. The celebrated cave of Ataruipe, the grave of an extinct tribe--pp. 171-173.

Abode of the river-cow in the sea, at the spot where, in the Gulf of Xagua on the southern coast of the Island of Cuba, springs of fresh water gush forth--pp. 174, 175.

Geographical illustration of the sources of the Orinoco--pp. 175-179.

Juvia , a Lecythidea, remarkable as an instance of lofty organic development. Haulm of an Arundinaria upwards of sixteen feet from joint to joint--pp. 179-180.

On the fabulous Lake Parime--pp. 180-188.

The Parrot of Atures, a poem by Ernst Curtius. The bird lived in Maypures, and the natives declared that he was not understood, because he spoke the language of the extinct Aturian tribe--pp. 188-190.

NOCTURNAL LIFE OF ANIMALS IN THE PRIMEVAL FOREST pp. 191-201.

Difference in the richness of languages as regards precise and definite words for characterizing natural phenomena, such as the state of vegetation and the forms of plants, the contour and grouping of clouds, the appearance of the earth's surface, and the shape of mountains. Loss which languages sustain in such expressive words. The misinterpretation of a Spanish word has enlarged mountain-chains on maps, and created new ranges. PRIMEVAL FOREST. Frequent misuse of this term. Want of uniformity in the association of the arboral species is characteristic of the forests within the tropics. Causes of their imperviousness. The Climbing plants often form but a very inconsiderable portion of the underwood--pp. 191-196.

Aspect of the Rio Apure in its lower course. Margin of the forest fenced like a garden by a low hedge of Sauso . The wild animals of the forest issue with their young through solitary gaps, to approach the river-side. Herds of large Capybarae, or Cavies. Fresh-water dolphins--pp. 196-199. The cries of wild animals resound through the forest. Cause of the nocturnal noises--pp. 199-200. Contrast to the repose which reigns at noontide on very hot days within the tropics. Description of the rocky narrows of the Orinoco at the Baraguan. Buzzing and humming of insects; in every shrub, in the cracked bark of trees, in the perforated earth, furrowed by hymenopterous insects, life is audible and manifest--pp. 200-201.

Characteristic denominations of the surface of the earth in the Arabic and Persian. Richness of the dialects of Old Castile for designating the forms of mountains. Fresh-water rays and fresh-water dolphins. In the giant streams of both continents some organic sea-forms are repeated. American nocturnal apes with cat's eyes; the tricoloured striped Douroucoali of the Cassiquiare--pp. 202-203.

HYPSOMETRIC ADDENDA pp. 204-209.

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