R. H. SCHOMBURGK. 77 



Such is a brief and very condensed sketch of the 

 various expeditions accomplished by our author, 

 and which, as he has been so kind as extract for 

 us, will at least possess the merit of authenticity. 

 A sojourn of nearly ten years under the tropics, and 

 a life spent in exposure to the sun and every vicis- 

 situde of seasons, had exercised their influence upon 

 the health of our travellers ; while the attacks of 

 sand-flies (a species of simulia) and of musquitos 

 {culex)^ during the journey to the Upper Orinoco 

 and his stay at Esmeralda, had been so severe as to 

 induce a degree of fever, which vapour-baths and 

 the good medical treatment in Georgetown could 

 only in part remove; and a visit to Europe was 

 proposed, both as the only remedy for his com- 

 plaints, and also as the only way in which Mr. 

 Schomburgk's discoveries and exertions could be 

 properly made public. In consequence, he embarked 

 in a voyage for London, accompanied by three 

 Indians who had been his companions in the inte- 

 rior: all his collections, drawings, plans, manu- 

 scripts, and observations, which arrived in safety, 

 and have been for many months in part laid before 

 the difi'erent scientific societies of the metropolis, 

 bear ample testimony of his qualifications, either 

 as a general observer and one who can enter into 

 almost any branch of physical geography, or as a 

 zoologist and botanist. 



Independently, also, of the accessions made to 

 our knowledge of these branches of philosophy, 



