300 SUMMARY OF THE CONTENTS OF VOL. I. 



The misinterpretation of a Spanish word, " Monte,'' has caused the 

 undue extension or introduction of mountains in maps. Primeval 

 Forest ; frequent abuse of the term. Absence of the uniformity 

 which is produced by the association of the same kinds of trees, 

 characteristic of tropical forests. Causes of the impenetrability of 

 forests between the tropics ; the twining plants, Lianes, often form 

 only a small portion of the Underwood. . . . 259 266 



Appearance of the Rio Apure in the lower part of its course. Margin 

 of the forest fenced like a garden by a low hedge of Sauso (Her- 

 mesia). The wild animals of the forest lead their young to the 

 river through small openings in this hedge. Flocks of large water- 

 hogs or Cavies (Capybara). Fresh- water dolphins . 266 269 



Wild cries of animals resound throughout the forest. Cause of the 

 nocturnal uproar 269271 



Contrast with the stillness which reigns during the noon-tide hours 

 on days of more than usual heat in the torrid zone. Description 

 of the narrows of the Orinoco at Baraguan. Humming and 

 fluttering of insects. Life stirs audibly in every bush, in the clefts 

 of the bark of trees, and in the earth undermined and furrowed by 

 Hymenopterous insects 271272 



Scientific Elucidations and Additions p. 273 to p. 275. 



Characteristic terms in Arabic and Persian descriptive of the surface 

 of the ground (Steppes, grassy plains, deserts, &c.) Richness of 

 the old Castilian idiom in words expressive of the form of mountains. 

 Fresh-water skates and dolphins. In the great rivers of both 

 continents some organic sea-forms are repeated. American noc- 

 turnal monkeys, the three-striped Douroucouli of the Cassiquiare. 



273275 



