300 M. (VOrhignifs Travels in South America. 



Before drawing the attention of the Academy to the most in- 

 teresting animals of each tribe, we may be permitted to say a 

 few words respecting the route of the traveller. 



Leaving France in June 1826, he did not return till 1834 ; 

 his journey has therefore lasted for eight years. 



He embarked at Brest for Rio-Janeiro, passed from thence to 

 Monte- Video, and then to the mouth of the La Plata, at which 

 point his observations commenced. 



In 1827, he traversed and examined the countries on the 

 southern bank of that river, on his way to Buenos- Ayres. From 

 thence he repaired to the banks of the Parana, where he embark- 

 ed for the frontiers of Paraguay ; visiting the provinces of Cor- 

 rientes, Missions, Entrerios, and Santa-Fe, and making obser- 

 vations as he advanced on the geological structure of the basin 

 of the Pampas, and, at the same time, on the fishes and mollus- 

 cous animals in the rivers. 



Not being able to penetrate into Chili and Peru, for the civil 

 wars which then desolated these unhappy countries, he deter- 

 mined to explore Patagonia, a country then Httle known, and 

 which afforded interesting objects of research. But the natives 

 having risen against the settlers, M. d'Orbigny was obliged to 

 shew his courage, by taking up arms in favour of the inhabi- 

 tants. 



He traversed Patagonia from the 39° to the 40° of south lati- 

 tude, and at last, after eight or nine months' stay in that pro- 

 vince, returned with much difficulty to Buenos-Ayres. 



In the mean while, he did not forget the purpose of his mis- 

 sion -, for, as he could not reach Chili or Peru by land, he em- 

 barked and sailed round Cape Horn, in order to reach them by 

 sea. He arrived in Chili in 1830 ; but as the civil war con- 

 tinued at its height, he could not run the risk of entering the 

 country. He therefore took advantage of an opportunity that 

 occurred for visiting the State of Bolivia, and, with this view, 

 embarked for Peru. 



He visited, during his route, the western declivity of the Cor- 

 dilleras, a country so arid, that it is destitute of all interest to 

 the zoologist ; and mounted to the summit of the Andes, which 

 presents an immense plain, and where the air is very highly rari- 

 fied, and the dryness extreme. 



