Views of nature: or Contemplations on the sublime phenomena of creation: with scientific illustrationsHumboldt, Alexander von
Science
Views of nature: or Contemplations on the sublime phenomena of creation: with scientific illustrations
Humboldt, Alexander von
Physical geography; Plant morphology; Science; South America -- Description and travel
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 (April, 1749) 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of an ancient civilization, in the unpublished travels of the Surgeon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.
SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS AND ADDITIONS pp. 174–190.
Abode of the river-cow (_Trichecus Manati_) 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 (_Bertholletia_), 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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