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
Passage across the Andes chain, where it is intersected by the
magnetic equator. Ammonites of nearly 15 inches, Echini and Isocardia
of the chalk-formation, collected between Guambos and Montan, nearly
12,800 feet above the sea. Rich silver-mines of Chota. The
picturesque, tower-like Cerro de Gualgayoc. An enormous mass of
filamentous virgin silver in the Pampa de Navar. A treasure of virgin
gold, twined round with filamentous silver, in the shell-field
(Choropampa), so named on account of the numerous fossils. Outbursts
of silver and gold ores in the chalk-formations. The little
mountain-town of Micuipampa lies 11,873 feet above the sea—pp.
402–405.
Across the mountain wilderness of the Paramo de Yanaguanga the
traveller descends into the beautiful embosomed valley or rather
Plateau of Caxamarca (almost at an equal altitude with the city of
Quito). Warm baths of the Inca. Ruins of Atahuallpa’s palace,
inhabited by his indigent descendants, the family of Astorpilca.
Belief entertained there, in the existence of subterranean golden
gardens of the Inca; said to be situated in the lovely valley of
Yucay, under the Temple of the Sun at Cuzco, and at many other points.
Conversation with the son of the Curaca Astorpilca. The room is still
shown in which the unfortunate Atahuallpa was kept prisoner for nine
months, from the November of 1532; also the wall on which he made a
mark to indicate the height to which he would cause the room to be
filled with gold, if his persecutors would set him free. Account of
the prince’s execution on the 29th of August, 1533, and remarks on the
so-called “indelible blood stain” on a stone slab before the altar in
the chapel of the city prison—pp. 406–414. How the hope in a
restoration of the Inca empire, also indulged in by Raleigh, has been
maintained among the natives. Causes of this fanciful belief—p. 414.
Journey from Caxamarca to the sea-coast. Passage across the
Cordilleras through the Altos de Guangamarca. The often disappointed
hope of enjoying the sight of the Pacific from the crest of the Andes,
at last gratified, at a height of 9380 feet—pp. 415–420.
SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS AND ADDITIONS pp. 421–436.
On the origin of the name borne by the Andes Chain p. 421.
Epoch of the introduction of Cinchona (Peruvian) bark into Europe—p.
422.
Ruins of the Inca’s causeways and fortified dwellings; Aposentos de
Mulalo, Fortaleza del Cañar, Inti-Guaycu—p. 423.
On the ancient civilization of the Chibchas or Muyscas of New
Granada—p. 425. Age of the culture of the potato and banana—p. 427.
Etymology of the word Cundinamarca, corrupted from Cundirumarca, and
which, in the first years of republican independence, designated the
whole country of New Granada—p. 427.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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