Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.3)

CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Porto Praya— Ribeira Grande— Dry and clear atmosphere— Effect of lava on a calcareous beach— Habits of Aplysia and Octopus— St. Paul's rocks non-volcanic— Incrustations and stalactites of phosphate of lime — In- sects first colonists — Fernando Noronha — Bahia — Extent of granite Burnished rocks— Habits of Diodon — Pelagic confervJE, infusoria Causes of discoloured sea . . . . 1 CHAPTER n. Rio de Janeiro — Excursion nortli of Cape Frio — Great evaporation Slavery— Botofogo Bay — Terrestrial Planariae— Clouds on Corcovado— Heavy rain— Musical Hyla— Lampyris and its larvae— Elater, springing powersof— Blue haze— Noise of butterfly — Entomology— Ants — Wasp- killing spider — Parasitical spider — Artifices of Epeira — Gregarious spider— Spider with imperfect web. . . .21 CHAPTER III. Monte Video— Maldonado— Excursion to R. Polanco— Lazo and Bolas Partridges — Geology — Absence of trees — Cervus campestris — River hog— Tucutuco— Molothrus, cuckoo-like habits of— Tyrant-flycatcher — Mocking-bird— Carrion hawks — Tubes formed by lightning — House struck . . . . , .44 CHAPTER IV. Rio Negro — Estancias attacked by Indians — Salt lakes, geological position of —Flamingoes— R. Negro to Colorado — Sacred tree— Patagonian hare —Indian families— General Rosas— Proceed to Bahia Blanca— Sand dunes— Negro lieutenant— Bahia Blanca— Ground incrusted with Glau- ber salt — Punta Alta — Zorillo . . . 74 CHAPTER V. Bahia Blanca — Geology — Extinct quadrupeds, four Edentata, horse, Ctenomys — Recent extinction of — Longevity of species — Large animals do not require luxuriant vegetation— Southern Africa— Siberian fossils — Catalogue of extinct quadrupeds of South America — Two species of Ostrich, habits of— Tinochorus — Oven-bird — Armadilloes — Venomous snake, toad, lizard — Hybernation of animals — Habits of sea-pen — In- dian wars and massacres— Arrow-head, antiquarian relic. . 95