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
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 (_Lianes_) 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 (_Hermesia_). The wild
animals of the forest issue with their young through solitary gaps, to
approach the river-side. Herds of large Capybaræ, 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.
SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS AND ADDITIONS pp. 202–203.
Characteristic denominations of the surface of the earth (Steppes,
Savannahs, Prairies, Deserts) 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.
Pentland’s measurements in the eastern mountain-chain of Bolivia.
Volcano of Aconcagua, according to Fitz-Roy and Darwin. Western
mountain-chain of Bolivia—pp. 204–205. Mountain systems of North
America. Rocky Mountains and snowy chain of California. Laguna de
Timpanogos—pp. 205–207. Hypsometric profile of the Highland of Mexico
as far as Santa Fé—pp. 207–209.
IDEAS FOR A PHYSIOGNOMY OF PLANTS pp. 210–231.
Universal profusion of life on the slopes of the highest mountain
summits, in the ocean and in the atmosphere. Subterranean Flora.
Siliceous-shelled polygastrica in masses of ice at the pole. Podurellæ
in the ice tubules of the glaciers of the Alps; the glacier-flea
(_Desoria glacialis_). Minute organisms of the dust fogs—pp. 210–213.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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