Natural History. 243 



Burchell, the well-known African traveller. It is not generally 

 known that this learned naturalist accompanied Sir Charles Stuart, 

 on his diplomatic mission to Rio de Janeiro, two years ago ; carry- 

 ing with him, among other things, a collection of astronomical and 

 mathematical instruments by the first makers, with an intention of 

 using them on the Cordilleras of Peru and Paraguay. Mr. Bur- 

 chell remained some time at Rio, to become seasoned to the climate, 

 and to make preparations for his arduous undertaking. In a recent 

 letter, dated at that place on the 7th September last, received by Mr. 

 Swainson, he thus sketches out his route: — 



*' I have made large collections here, and in the neighbouring 

 country, and shall embark to-morrow morning for Santos, and travel 

 thence to St. Paul's, where (or at Jundiahy) I shall purchase about 

 twenty mules, to carry my baggage, consisting of thirty-three 

 packages, mostly weighing a hundred pounds each ; these will be 

 accompanied by a proportionate number of muleteers and attendants. 

 My plan is to traverse Brazil ; and passing through Matto Grosso 

 (i. e. the Great Wood,) the central province, enter Peru, and visit 

 the city of Cusco, the lake Titicaca, and the various ruins of the times 

 of the Incas. I am not certain whether I shall go so far northward 

 as Lima ; but if nothing untoward occurs to derange my plans, I 

 shall go to Arcquipa, Potosi, Solta, &c. &c., and thence to Buenos 

 Ayres, where my South American journey will end." 



Looking upon Mr .Burchell as the most scientific and accomplished 

 traveller, next to the celebrated Humboldt, that this age has pro- 

 duced, we anxiously look forward to his success and return, as to 

 a period when every branch of science will derive advantage from 

 his accuracy and research. 



8. Note on the Motions and Actions of Quadrupeds. — It is 

 asserted by physiologists that the right side of animals is ge- 

 nerally stronger than the left ; and it is said by riding-masters 

 that horses most naturally gallop with the left foot foremost, which 

 they attribute to the foal being commonly placed, before birth, 

 with its head to the left. All these facts, however, must be admitted 

 with some hesitation : the first thing to be asked is, what is meant by 

 galloping with the right or left foot foremost ; and we shall find 

 that the foremost foot is always most bent, and is put down singly, 

 and then, after some pause, the foot diagonally opposite, and then, 

 after a shorter pause, the two others almost at the same instant; these 

 two remaining parallel to each other, and appearing to be the most 

 energetically employed in the progressive motion. So that, in fact, 

 when the horse gallops with the left foot foremost, the principal 

 effort seems to be made by the right foot before, and the left foot 

 behind, and neither the right nor left, side of the body in general can 

 be said to be called into action more than the other. 



It is curious to observe the association of ideas, or of impressions^ 

 by which the actions of horses are sometimes regulated. A young 

 horse, which had been very 2/;e^/ taught to go in the usual manner with 



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