CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODDCTIOX. 



Birth and Education of Humboldt — His early Occupations—He 

 resolves to visit At'rica— Is disappointed in his Views, and goes 

 to Madrid, where he is introduced to the Kin^, and obtains Per- 

 mission to visit the Spanish Colonies — Observations made on the 

 Journey through Spain — Geological Constitution of the Country 

 between Madrid and Corunna — Climate — Ancient Submersion of 

 the Shores of the Mediterranean— Reception at Corunna, and 

 Preparations for the Voyage to South America, Page 17 



CHAPTER II. 



VOYAGE FROM CORUNNA TO TENERIFFE. 



Departure from Corunna — Currents of the Atlantic Ocean — Ma- 

 rine Animals — Falling Stars — Swallows — Canary Islands — Lan- 

 cerota — Fucus vitifolius — Causes of the Green Colour of Plants 

 — La Graciosa — Stratified Basalt alternating with Marl — Hya- 

 lite — Quartz Sand — Remarks on the Distance at which Mountains 

 are visible at Sea, and the Causes by which it is modified— Land- 

 ing at TenerifFe, 24 



CHAPTER TIL 



ISLAND OF TENERIFFE. 



Santa Cruz — Villa de la Laguna — Guanches — Present Inhabitants 

 of TenerifFe — Climate — Scener}' of the Coast — Orotava — Dragon- 

 tree — Ascent of the Peak — Its Geological Character — Eruptions 

 — Zones of Vegetation — Fires of St John, 37 



