hy Alexander von Humholdt. xlv 



improving them, to the sections and maps of Chili, contained 

 in the work, " Buenos Ayres and the Provinces of Rio 

 de la Plata," published in 1852 by Sir Woodbine Parish, 

 and still more so, to that entitled " Map of the Republic 

 of Chili, compiled from the Surveys of Gilliss, Pissis, Allen, 

 Campbell, and Claude Gay, between 23° and 44 °S., as con- 

 tained in Gilliss' '■ United States Astronomical Expedition, 

 1847-52 Washington, 1855.'" 



The chief object to be aimed at by the Novara, with 

 respect to scientific enquiry, seems to me to be the formation 

 of a collection in the Geological Institute of Vienna, in com- 

 parison to which all the collections which at present aspire to 

 be considered rich in volcanic specimens, (such as those of 

 Berlin, Paris and London), should appear to be insignificant. 

 In all periods of history, travellers are only the represen- 

 tatives of the state of knowledge of their own time, 

 and consequently, collections always present the readiest 

 means of promulgating new discoveries by oryctognostical 

 examination or chemical analysis. In order to set on foot 

 a grand Volcanic Museum, it would be necessary to bring 

 home from every one of the volcanoes visited, not less than 

 10 or 12, but still better 15 or 18, specimens of the porphy- 

 ritic trachytes, all carefully selected, well-shaped, containing 

 crystals not disintegrated, and of sufficient size to admit of 

 a fresh fracture being made. For such quantities, however, 

 there cannot be provided on board ship, even with the kindest 

 patronage of the commanding officer, sufficient space for 



