102 SKETCH OP THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



Orinoco, rich in fishes, tortoises, &c., and on 

 whose shores birds not unfrequently furnished 

 their meal. In sight of any important object 

 presented to his view, he took his notes ; to 

 this he generally adhered, because in the face 

 of the object under observation any such notice 

 bears the seal of truth. 



Humboldt proposed to sail down the Apure, 

 and ascend the Orinoco ; and proceed sub- 

 sequently to examine the Rio Negro. The 

 brother-in-law of the governor of Yarinas, Don 

 Nicolas Sotto, accompanied Baron Humboldt 

 on this expedition. The amiable character and 

 cheerful spirit of this gentleman often banished 

 from the mind of the naturalists the difficulties 

 and dangers of this voyage. It is certain that 

 any one less courageous would have shrunk 

 from such an expedition ; for tigers and other 

 wild beasts were not at all alarmed by the 

 approach of the boat ; and crocodiles, 18 to 22 

 feet long, looked with confidence and unconcern 

 on the travellers. The wild grandeur of nature, 

 and the traditions which the negroes related 

 with reference to this river, much interested 

 Humboldt and his companions. A severe gust 

 of wind and the awkwardness of the pilot 

 nearly caused a fatal accident the boat almost 

 capsized ; the papers and other things belonging 



