CHAPTER 1.1.
PREPARATIONS. - INSTRUMENTS. - DEPARTURE FROM SPAIN. -
LANDING AT THE CANARY ISLANDS.
CHAPTER 1.2.
STAY AT TENERIFE. - JOURNEY FROM SANTA CRUZ TO OROTAVA. - EXCURSION
TO THE SUMMIT OF THE PEAK OF TEYDE.
CHAPTER 1.3.
PASSAGE FROM TENERIFE TO SOUTH AMERICA. -
THE ISLAND OF TOBAGO. - ARRIVAL AT CUMANA.
CHAPTER 1.4.
FIRST ABODE AT CUMANA. - BANKS OF THE MANZANARES.
CHAPTER 1.5.
PENINSULA OF ARAYA. - SALT-MARSHES. -
RUINS OF THE CASTLE OF SANTIAGO.
CHAPTER 1.6.
MOUNTAINS OF NEW ANDALUCIA. - VALLEY OF THE CUMANACOA. -
SUMMIT OF THE COCOLLAR. - MISSIONS OF THE CHAYMA INDIANS.
CHAPTER 1.7.
CONVENT OF CARIPE. - CAVERN OF THE GUACHARO. - NOCTURNAL BIRDS.
CHAPTER 1.8.
DEPARTURE FROM CARIPE. - MOUNTAIN AND FOREST OF SANTA MARIA. -
MISSION OF CATUARO. - PORT OF CARIACO.
CHAPTER 1.9.
PHYSICAL CONSTITUTION AND MANNERS OF THE CHAYMAS. - THEIR LANGUAGE. -
FILIATION OF THE NATIONS WHICH INHABIT NEW ANDALUCIA. -
PARIAGOTOS SEEN BY COLUMBUS.
CHAPTER 1.10.
SECOND ABODE AT CUMANA. - EARTHQUAKES. - EXTRAORDINARY METEORS.
CHAPTER 1.11.
PASSAGE FROM CUMANA TO LA GUAYRA. - MORRO OF NUEVA BARCELONA. -
CAPE CODERA. - ROAD FROM LA GUAYRA TO CARACAS.
CHAPTER 1.12.
GENERAL VIEW OF THE PROVINCES OF VENEZUELA. -
DIVERSITY OF THEIR INTERESTS. - CITY AND VALLEY OF CARACAS. -
CLIMATE.
CHAPTER 1.13.
ABODE AT CARACAS. - MOUNTAINS IN THE VICINITY OF THE TOWN. -
EXCURSION TO THE SUMMIT OF THE SILLA. - INDICATIONS OF MINES.
CHAPTER 1.14.
EARTHQUAKES AT CARACAS. - CONNECTION OF THOSE PHENOMENA WITH THE
VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS OF THE WEST INDIA ISLANDS.
CHAPTER 1.15.
DEPARTURE FROM CARACAS. - MOUNTAINS OF SAN PEDRO AND OF LOS TEQUES. -
LA VICTORIA. - VALLEYS OF ARAGUA.
***
INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHOR.
Many years have elapsed since I quitted Europe, to explore the
interior of the New Continent. Devoted from my earliest youth to
the study of nature, feeling with enthusiasm the wild beauties of a
country guarded by mountains and shaded by ancient forests, I
experienced in my travels, enjoyments which have amply compensated
for the privations inseparable from a laborious and often agitated
life. These enjoyments, which I endeavoured to impart to my readers
in my 'Remarks upon the Steppes,' and in the 'Essay on the
Physiognomy of Plants,' were not the only fruits I reaped from an
undertaking formed with the design of contributing to the progress
of natural philosophy. I had long prepared myself for the
observations which were the principal object of my journey to the
torrid zone. I was provided with instruments of easy and convenient
use, constructed by the ablest makers, and I enjoyed the special
protection of a government which, far from presenting obstacles to
my investigations, constantly honoured me with every mark of regard
and confidence. I was aided by a courageous and enlightened friend,
and it was singularly propitious to the success of our participated
labour, that the zeal and equanimity of that friend never failed,
amidst the fatigues and dangers to which we were sometimes exposed.
Under these favourable circumstances, traversing regions which for
ages have remained almost unknown to most of the nations of Europe,
I might add even to Spain, M. Bonpland and myself collected a
considerable number of materials, the publication of which may
throw some light on the history of nations, and advance the study
of nature.
