THE 



TRAVELS AND RESEARCHES 



OF 



BARON HUMBOLDT. 



CHAPTER I. 



Introduction, 



Birth and Education of Humboldt— His early Occupations—He resolves 

 to visit Africa — Is disappointed in his Views, and goes to Madrid, 

 where he is introduced to the King, and obtains Permission 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 Medi- 

 terranean — Reception at Corunna, and Preparations for the Voyage to 

 South America. 



With the name of Humboldt we associate all that 

 is interesting in the physical sciences. No travel- 

 ler who has visited remote regions of the globe, for 

 the purpose of observing, the varied phenomena of 

 nature, has added so much to our stock of positive 

 knowledge. While the navigator has explored the 

 coasts of unknown lands, discovered islands and 

 shores, marked the depths of the sea, estimated the 

 force of currents, and noted the more obvious traits 

 in the aspect of the countries at which he has 

 touched; while the zoologist has investigated the 

 multiplied forms of animal life, the botanist the di- 

 versified vegetation, the geologist the structure and 



