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The Naturalist on the River Amazons
The Naturalist on the River Amazons
Book Excerpt
. From all these facts, I think we must
conclude that the Para district belongs to the Guiana province
and that, if it is newer land than Guiana, it must have received
the great bulk of its animal population from that region. I am
informed by Dr. Sclater that similar results are derivable from
the comparison of the birds of these countries."
One of the most interesting excursions made by Mr. Bates from Para was the ascent of the river Tocantins--the mouth of which lies about 4-5 miles from the city of Para. This was twice attempted. On the second occasion--our author being in company with Mr. Wallace--the travellers penetrated as far as the rapids of Arroyos, about 130 miles from its mouth. This district is one of the chief collecting-grounds of the well-known Brazil-nut (Bertholletia excelsa), which is here very plentiful, grove after grove of these splendid trees being visible, towering above their fellows, with the "woody fruits, large and round as cannon-balls, dotted over the branches." The Hyacinthin
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Travelogue of ten years in the Amazons region, 150 years ago. With any traveloge, it helps to have Google Earth at hand. Bates' efforts in reaching and describing the remotest regions are as impressive as those by Alexander v. Humboldt. However, unlike Humboldt's Equinoctial Regions..., the author's account is less rambling, and he doesn't lose himself in scientific detail (these works were both supposed to be read by the public, both authors also published detailed scientific accounts!). This makes this work a colourful and exceptionally enjoyable book, containing many interesting anecdotes of people, animals, and plants of the Amazons region. A must for the serious traveller, even today.
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