Travels in Brazil, in the Years 1817-1820

First published in 1824, this is a two-volume English translation of part of the account by German naturalists Johann Baptist von Spix (1781-1826) and Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius (1794-1868) of their Brazilian expedition, one of the nineteenth century's great scientific enterprises. Despite debilitating conditions (which would contribute to Spix's premature death), they accumulated a spectacular collection of specimens, including dozens of live animals and over 10,000 other examples of flora and fauna. Although no further volumes appeared, this wide-ranging work formed part of the library aboard the Beagle during Darwin's famous voyage. Volume 1 recounts the early stages of the expedition, covering the voyage from Trieste to Rio de Janeiro. It contains studies of the flora and fauna of Malta, Gibraltar and Madeira. The volume concludes with the arrival at São Paulo on 31 December 1817.