PREFACE 
XIII 
on the islands of the Pacific Ocean, in South America 
and in Africa, in making a comparative study of those 
peoples. It should prove interesting enough. I have no 
space here to go deeply into the subject, as this is a book 
descriptive of South America merely. I may add that 
the most ardent supporter of the above theory is the 
celebrated explorer and scientist, Colonel Marchand, of 
Fashoda fame — a man who has studied and understands 
the mysteries of this world better than any man living. 
My sincere thanks are due to the following gentlemen 
for much politeness shown me in connection with the 
expedition: To Mr. Georges Babin, the famous writer 
of Paris; to Mr. Manoel Bomfin (ex-deputy of Brazil), 
to Senador Alcindo Guanabara, for the keen interest 
taken in the expedition and for proposing to Congress 
after my return that a grant of £4,000 should be given 
to me as a reward for the work done. I herewith also 
express my gratitude to the Brazilian Government for 
paying me that sum, which came in usefully to defray 
part of the expenses of the expedition. To H. E. Dr. 
Pedro de Toledo, Minister of Agriculture, for the intel¬ 
ligent desire shown to help as much as he could in the 
venture, and for kindly giving me the free use of all the 
telegraphs in Brazil, including the Amazon Cable, and 
other important privileges; to Dr. Jose Carlos Rodriguez 
for hospitality and much valuable advice; to Dr. Paolo 
de Frontin, Conseilheiro Antonio Prado, Dr. Jose Pereira 
Rebon^as, and Mr. Mockill and their respective Com¬ 
panies for the many privileges granted me upon the vari¬ 
ous railways of which they were the Presidents. To 
Colonel R. E. Brazil and Commandante Macedo for their 
kind hospitality to me while navigating the lower Tapa- 
joz River; to Dr. A. B. Leguia, President of the Peru¬ 
vian Republic; to the British Ministers at Petropolis, 
Lima, La Paz, and Buenos Aires, and the British Con¬ 
suls of Rio de Janeiro, Para, Manaos, Iquitos, Antofo- 
