174 MEMOIR OF C. F. P. VON MARTIUS. 



elicited the praise of Goethe, the great master of German composition. 

 In fact, certain portions of tlie work, sucli as give the impressions pro- 

 dnced upon the travelers by the sublime natural scenes of Brazil, have 

 passed into collections containing model pieces of German prose.* The 

 large atlas, ornamented with a well-executed allegorical title-page, 

 comprises maps, orographical diagrams, i)anoramic views of mountain 

 chains, landscapes, representations of typical animals and plants, and 

 quite a number of plates illustrating the domestic and hunting life, the 

 feasts, dances, and ceremonies of the aboriginal inhabitants. Their 

 fabrics and arms are figured on two plates. In addition, there are many 

 faithfully executed, large portraits of Indians of various tribes, exhibit- 

 ing their peculiar features and the curious manner in which they dis- 

 figure their ears, lips, and chins by the insertion of ornaments. Of 

 particular interest are wsome plates containing representations of figures 

 sculptured on rocks, as aifording the means of comparing the pictogra- 

 phy of the Brazilian aborigines with that of other indigenous inhabit- 

 ants of the American continent. 



On the whole, the narrative of Spix and Martins is one of the most 

 important and comprehensive works of travel published in modern 

 times, equaling in merit the researches of Humboldt relative to Mex- 

 ico and other parts of America. It will remain a lasting monument of 

 the zeal and perseverance of its authors, and an honorable testimo- 

 nial to the enlightened prince who brought about its realization. 



Simultaneously with the account of their travels, Spix and Martins 

 began to prepare their strictly scientific works on the botany and zoo- 

 logy of Brazil ; the former department, of course, being in charge of 

 Martins, while Spix treated the subject of zoology. But as Spix had 



* Wc cannot refrain from inserting here, as a specimen, the description of evenings 

 spent at the conntry honse of Mr. Yon Laugsdortf, near Rio Janeiro : 



"Nothing can be compared to the beanty of this retreat when the most snltry hour8 

 of the day are past, and gentle breezes, impregnated Avith balsamic perfumes from the 

 neighboring wooded mountains, cool the au-. This enjoyment continues to increase as 

 the night spreads over the land and the sea, which shines at a distance, and the city, 

 where'^tho noise of business has subsided, is gradually lighted. He who has not per- 

 sonally experienced the enchantment of tranquil moonlight nights in these happy 

 latitudes can never be inspired, even by the most faithful description, with those feel- 

 ings which scenes of such wondrous beauty excite in the mind of the beholder. A 

 delicate, transparent mist hangs over the country, the moon shines brightly amidst 

 heavy and singularly grouped clouds ; the outlines of the objects which are illuminated 

 by it are clear and well detiued, while a magic twilight seems to remove fi-om the eye 

 those which are in the shade. Scarce a breath of air is stirring, and the neighboring 

 mimosas, that have folded up their leaves to sleep, stand motionless beside the dark 

 crowns of the manga, the jaca, and the ethereal jambos; or sometimes a sudden wind 

 arises, and the juiceless leaves of the acaju rustle, the richly flowered grumijama and 

 pitano-a let drop a fragrant shower of snow-white blossoms; the crowns of the ma- 

 jestic'iialms wave slowly over the silent roof which they overshade, like a symbol of 

 peace and tranquillity. Shrill cries of the cicada, the grasshopper, and the tree-frog 

 make an incessant hum, and produce by their monotony, a pleasing melancholy. A 

 stream, gently murmuring, descends from the mountains, and the macuc, {Penlrix fimja- 

 nensis,) with 'its almost human voice, seems to call for help from a distance. Every 

 quarter of an hour different balsamic odors fill the air, and other flowers alternately 

 unfold their leaves to the night, and almost overpower the senses with their perfume ; 

 now it is the bowers of paullinias, or the neighboring orange grove, then the thick 

 tufts of the eupatoria, or the bunches of the flowers of the palms, suddenly bursting, 

 which disclose their blossoms, and thus maint.ain a constant succession of fragrance. 

 While the silent vegetable world, illuminated by swarms of fire-flies, as by a thousand 

 moving stars, charms the night by its delicious effluvia, brilliant lightnings play 

 incessantly in the horizon and elevate the mind in joyful admiration to the stars, 

 which, glowing in solemn silence in the firmament above the continent and ocean, fill 

 the soul with a presentiment of still sublimer wonders. In the enjoyment of the 

 peaceful and magic influence of such nights, the newly-arrived European remembers 

 with tender longings his native home, till the luxuriant scenery of the tropics has 

 become to him a second country."— (English translation, vol. i, p. 160.) 



