Travels in Peru, on the Coast, in the Sierra, Across the Cordilleras and the Andes, into the Primeval Forests

Johann Jakob Von Tschudi

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• Publié par: erzey
• Publié le: 08 décembre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 149
• Langue: English

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Sierra, Across the Cordilleras and the Andes, into the Primeval Forests, by J. J. von Tschudi
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Title: Travels in Peru, on the Coast, in the Sierra, Across the Cordilleras and the Andes, into the Primeval Forests
Author: J. J. von Tschudi
Translator: Thomasina Ross
Release Date: October 3, 2008 [EBook #26745]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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NATIVES OF VALPARAISO.
CHILIAN HORSEMANSHIP.TRAVELS
IN PERU,
ON THE COAST, IN THE SIERRA, ACROSS THE CORDILLERAS
AND THE ANDES, INTO THE PRIMEVAL FORESTS.


BY DR. J. J. VON TSCHUDI.

TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN
BY THOMASINA ROSS.

NEW EDITION, COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME.

NEW YORK:
A. S. BARNES & CO., 51 JOHN-STREET.
CINCINNATI: H. W. DERBY.
1854.
PREFACE.
The Work from which the present Volume is translated consists of extracts from
the Author's Journal, accompanied by his recollections and observations. The
absence of chronological arrangement will be sufficiently accounted for, when it
is explained that the zoological investigations for which the journey was
undertaken frequently required the Author to make repeated visits to one
particular place or district, or to remain for a considerable time within the narrow
circuit of a few miles; and sometimes to travel rapidly over vast tracts of country.
Disclaiming any intention of making one of those travelling romances, with
which the tourist literature of the day is overstocked, the Author has confined
himself to a plain description of facts and things as they came within the sphere
of his own observation. But though Dr. Tschudi lays claim to no merit beyond
the truthfulness of his narrative, yet the reader will no doubt readily concede to
him the merit of extensive information, and happy descriptive talent. His
pictures of Nature, especially those relating to the animal world, are frequently
imbued with much of the charm of thought and style which characterizes the
writings of Buffon.
Lima, the oldest and most interesting of the cities founded by the Spaniards on
the western coast of South America, has been frequently described; but no
previous writer has painted so animated a picture of the city and its inhabitants,
as that contained in the following volume. After quitting the capital of Peru, Dr.
Tschudi went over ground previously untrodden by any European traveller. He
visited the Western Sierra, the mighty chain of the Cordilleras, the boundless
level heights, the deep mountain valleys on the eastern declivity of the Andes,
and the vast primeval forests. Whilst recounting his wanderings in these distant
regions, he describes not only the country and the people, but every object of
novelty and interest in the animal, vegetable, and mineral creations.
Those lovers of Natural History who are familiar with the German language,
and who may wish to make themselves extensively acquainted with the animal
world, in those parts of Peru visited by Dr. Tschudi, will find abundant
information on the subject in his work, with plates, entitled "Untersuchungen
über die Fauna Peruana." The present Publication, though containing a vast
deal to interest the naturalist, is addressed to the general reader, and will, it is
presumed, gratify curiosity respecting the highly interesting and little known
regions to which it relates. It may fairly be said that no previous writer has given
so comprehensive a picture of Peru; combining, with animated sketches of life
and manners, a fund of valuable information on Natural History and Commerce.

T. R.CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Embarkation at Havre—The Voyage—Arrival
at the Island of Chiloe—Landing—The Gyr-
Falcon—Punta Arena—The Island of Chiloe
described—Climate and Cultivation—Cattle
—The Bay—San Carlos—The Governor's
House—Poverty and Wretchedness of the
Inhabitants of the Town—Strange method of
Ploughing—Coasting Vessels—Smuggling
—Zoology—Departure from Chiloe 1
CHAPTER II.
Valparaiso and the adjacent country—The Bay
—Aspect of the Town—Lighthouses—Forts
—Custom House—Exchange—Hotels and
Taverns—War with the Peru-Bolivian
Confederation—First Expedition—
Preparations for the Second Expedition—
Embarkation of the Troops—Close of the
Port—July Festival in honor of the French
Revolution—The Muele, or Mole—Police
—Serenos, or Watchmen—Movable Prisons
—Clubs—Trade of Valparaiso—Santiago—
Zoology 15
CHAPTER III.
Juan Fernandez—Robinson Crusoe—
Passage to Callao—San Lorenzo—Rise
and fall of the coast—Mr. Darwin's opinions
on this subject—Callao—The Fortress—
Siege by the Spaniards—General Rodil—
Siege by the Chilians—The Colocolo—
Pirates—Zoology—Road to Lima 26
CHAPTER IV.
Lima—Situation and extent of the City—
Streets, Houses, Churches and Convents—
San Pedro—The Jesuits—Nunneries—
Beatarios—Hospitals—San Andres—The
Foundling House—The Pantheon—The
Palace—The Plaza Mayor—Pizarro—The
Cabildo—Fountains—Palace of the
Inquisition—The University—National
Library—Museum of Natural History and
Antiquities—Academy of Design—The Mint
—The Theatre—Circus for Cock-fighting—
The Bridge—The City Wall—Santa Catalina
—Barracks 42
CHAPTER V.
Population of Lima—Its diminution—Different
races of the Inhabitants—Their
characteristics—Amusements—Education
—The Women of Lima—Their Costume—
the Saya y Manto—Female domestic life—
Love of dress—Beatas—Indians—Slaves—
Bosales—Free Creoles—Negroes—
Negresses—Black Creoles—Their varieties
—Mestizos—Mulattoes—Pelanganas—
Zambos—Chinos—Foreigners in Lima—
Corruption of the Spanish language 63
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​CHAPTER VI.
Primary Schools—Colleges—The University—
Monks—Saints—Santo Toribio and Santa
Rosa—Religious Processions—Raising the
Host—The Noche Buena—The Carnival—
Paseos, or Public Promenades—Ice—
Riding and Driving—Horses—Their
Equipments and Training—Mules—Lottery
in Lima—Cookery—Breakfasts, Dinners,
&c.—Coffee-houses and Restaurants—
Markets—The Plazo Firme del Acho—Bull
Fights 89
CHAPTER VII.
Geographical Situation of Lima—Height above
Sea level—Temperature—Diseases—
Statistical Tables of Births and Deaths—
Earthquakes—The Valley of Lima—The
River Rimac—Aqueducts, Trenches, &c.—
Irrigation—Plantations—Cotton—Sugar—
Various kinds of Grain—Maize—Potatoes,
and other tuberous roots—Pulse—Cabbage
—Plants used for Seasoning—Clover—The
Olive and other Oil Trees—Fruits—Figs and
Grapes—The Chirimoya—The Palta—The
Banana and other Fruits 111
CHAPTER VIII.
Robbers on the coast of Peru—The Bandit
Leaders Leon and Rayo—The Corps of
Montoneros—Watering Places near Lima—
Surco, Atte and Lurin—Pacchacamac—
Ruins of the Temple of the Sun—Difficulties
of Travelling on the Coast of Peru—Sea
Passage to Huacho—Indian Canoes—
Ichthyological Collections—An old
Spaniard's recollections of Alexander Von
Humboldt—The Padre Requena—Huacho
—Plundering of Burial Places—Huaura—
Malaria—The Sugar Plantation at Luhmayo
—Quipico—Ancient P