SUMMARY. NOCTURNAL LIFE OF ANIMALS. * XX111 



NOCTURNAL LIFE OF ANIMALS IN THE PRIMEVAL 

 FOREST pp. 191-201. 



Difference in the richness of languages as regards precise and definite 

 words for characterizing natural phenomena, such as the state of vege- 

 tation 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 misinterpreta- 

 tion of a Spanish word has enlarged mountain-chains on maps, and 

 created new ranges. Primeval Fokest. 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 im- 

 perviousness. 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 Capybarse, 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 hymen- 

 opterous 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 noc- 

 turnal 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 Fe — 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. Podurellse 

 in the ice tubules of the glaciers of the Alps ; the glacier-flea (Desorict 

 glacialis). Minute organisms of the dust fogs — pp. 210-213. 



