12 



subject there was little precise knowledge, even the best known among 

 the fishes, reptiles, etc. of the Brazilian waters being entered in zoologi- 

 cal records simply as living in Brazil, or more generally as found 

 in South America. As the distribution of species lies at the very 

 foundation of the question of their origin, Professor Agassiz wished to 

 ascertain as far as possible what were the areas and limits of their 

 localization. With this view parties were sent off to explore the head- 

 waters of the Rio Doce, Rio Mucury, Rio Jequitinhonha, Rio das 

 Velhas, and Rio San Francisco, in the interior of Brazil, while others 

 were examining the lower course of these rivers along the Atlantic 

 coast. The party which started together for the interior, Messrs. St. 

 John, Allen, Ward, and Sceva, divided their forces after a time. Mr. 

 Sceva remained in the vicinity of Lagoa Santa, to seek for fossil re- 

 mains in the regions made famous by the researches of Dr. Lund, and 

 afterwards returned to the province of Rio de Janeiro, establishing 

 himself at Canta-Gallo, where he made a large collection of skeletons. 

 Mr. Ward extended his journey across the whole continent to Para, 

 passing from the middle course of the Rio San Francisco into the basin 

 of the Tocantins, which he descended to the Amazons. Mr. St. John 

 passed from the San Francisco into the basin of the Parnahyba, which he 

 followed as far as Theresia, whence he crossed to Caxias, followed the 

 valley of Piauhy to Maranham on the coast, and finally joined Professor 

 Agassiz at Para. Mr. Allen left his companions at the San Francisco, 

 and returned across the country to Bahia, taking the collections under 

 his charge. During this time Messrs. Hartt and Copeland undertook 

 an entirely different exploration in the eastern portions of the province 

 of Rio de Janeiro, Spiritu Santo, and the southern part of the province 

 of Bahia. Their collections were large, and Mr. Hartt's geological re- 

 port was exceedingly interesting.* 



When Professor Agassiz had finished all the necessary arrangements 

 for starting these expeditions, he prepared for his own journey up the 

 coast to Para, and from there up the Amazons. His departure was de- 

 layed, however, on account of the steamer having been taken by the 

 government to convey troops to the seat of war, — the war with Para- 

 guay being at its height at that time, — and he did not leave Rio Ja- 

 neiro until the 25th of July, three months after his arrival from New 

 York. The party who were to accompany Professor Agassiz were 



* One of the direct results of the expedition is a volume from Mr. Hartt on the 

 physical geography and geology of Brazil ; and he is still following up his researches 

 there, having just returned from a new exploration, bringing with him very important 

 collections and valuable additions to our knowledge of the regions he has visited. 



