80 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



garden, and himself experienced the powerful 

 influence of this great panorama, being highly 

 susceptible to the sway of nature's beauty,* 

 though it is possible that in the eyes of the 

 geologist this island is only a rock of interesting 

 volcanic formations, indicating different geo- 

 logical epochs. Humboldt and his. companion 

 instituted highly interesting observations re- 

 garding the formation of the Peak of Teneriffe, 

 its geological history, and the variety of vege- 

 tation by which it is surrounded. Here he 

 arrived at most important general conclusions ; 

 viz., that the inorganic forms of nature 

 mountains and rocks maintain a resem- 

 blance in all parts of the earth; whilst the 

 organic forms plants and animals always 

 differ from each other. The rocks, perhaps 

 older than the causes of the climate, appear 

 alike in both hemispheres. Humboldt recog- 

 nised the difference in plants and animals de- 

 pending on climatic conditions, and their eleva- 

 tion above the level of the sea. He made very 

 interesting investigations with reference to the 

 geographical distribution of plants and animals, 



* ""Whom nature's works can charm, with God himself 

 Hold converse ; grow familiar, day by day, 

 With his conceptions ; act upon his plan, 

 And form to his the relish of their souls." 



Dr. Percival. 



