DOCSLIB.ORG

Equinoctial Regions of America Volume I

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Equinoctial Regions of America Volume I Equinoctial Regions of America Volume I by Alexander von Humboldt Equinoctial Regions Of America CHAPTER 1.1. PREPARATIONS. INSTRUMENTS. DEPARTURE FROM SPAIN. LANDING AT THE CANARY ISLANDS. From my earliest youth I felt an ardent desire to travel into distant regions, seldom visited by Europeans. This desire is characteristic of a period of our existence when appears an unlimited horizon, and when we find an irresistible attraction in the impetuous agitations of the mind, and the image of positive danger. Though educated in a country which has no direct communication with either the East or the West Indies, living amidst mountains remote from coasts, and celebrated for their numerous mines, I felt an increasing passion for the sea and distant expeditions. Objects with which we are acquainted only by the animated narratives of travellers have a peculiar charm; imagination wanders with delight over that which is vague and undefined; and the pleasures we are deprived of seem to possess a fascinating power, compared with which all we daily feel in the narrow circle of sedentary life appears insipid. The taste for herborisation, the study of geology, rapid excursions to Holland, England, and France, with the celebrated Mr. George Forster, who had the happiness to accompany captain Cook in his second expedition round the globe, contributed to give a determined direction to the plan of travels which I had formed at eighteen years of age. No longer deluded by the agitation of a wandering life, I was anxious to contemplate nature in all her variety of wild and stupendous scenery; and the hope of collecting some facts useful to the advancement of science, incessantly impelled my wishes towards the luxuriant regions of the torrid zone. As personal circumstances then prevented me from executing the projects by which I was so powerfully influenced, I had leisure to prepare myself during six years for the observations I proposed to make on the New Continent, as well as to visit different parts of Europe, and to explore the lofty chain of the Alps, the structure of which I might afterwards compare with that of the Andes of Quito and of Peru. I had traversed a part of Italy in 1795, but had not been able to visit the volcanic regions of Naples and Sicily; and I regretted leaving Europe without having seen Vesuvius, Stromboli, and Etna. I felt, that in order to form a proper judgment of many geological phenomena, especially of the nature of the rocks of trap-formation, it was necessary to examine the phenomena presented by burning volcanoes. I determined therefore to return to Italy in the month of November, 1797. I made a long stay at Vienna, where the fine collections of exotic plants, and the friendship of Messrs. de Jacquin, and Joseph van der Schott, were highly useful to my preparatory studies. I travelled with M. Leopold von Buch, through several cantons of Salzburg and Styria, countries alike interesting to the landscape-painter and the geologist; but just when I was about to cross the Tyrolese Alps, the war then raging in Italy obliged me to abandon the project of going to Naples. A short time before, a gentleman passionately fond of the fine arts, and who had visited the coasts of Greece and Illyria to inspect their monuments, made me a proposal to accompany him in an expedition to Upper Egypt. This expedition was to occupy only eight months. Provided with astronomical instruments and able draughtsmen, we were to ascend the Nile as far as Assouan, after minutely examining the positions of the Said, between Tentyris and the cataracts. Though my views had not hitherto been fixed on any region but the tropics, I could not resist the temptation of visiting countries so celebrated in the annals of human civilization. I therefore accepted this proposition, but with the express condition, that on our return to Alexandria I should be at liberty to continue my journey through Syria and Palestine. The studies which I entered upon with a view to this new project, I afterwards found useful, when I examined the relations between the barbarous monuments of Mexico, and those belonging to the nations of the old world. I thought myself on the point of embarking for Egypt, when political events forced me to abandon a plan which promised me so much satisfaction. An expedition of discovery in the South Sea, under the direction of captain Baudin, was then preparing in France. The plan was great, bold, and worthy of being executed by a more enlightened commander. The purpose of this expedition was to visit the Spanish possessions of South America, from the mouth of the river Plata to the kingdom of Quito and the isthmus of Panama. After visiting the archipelago of the Pacific, and exploring the coasts of New Holland, from Van Diemen's Land to that of Nuyts, both vessels were to stop at Madagascar, and return by the Cape of Good Hope. I was in Paris when the preparations for this voyage were begun. I had but little confidence in the personal character of captain Baudin, who had given cause of discontent to the court of Vienna, when he was commissioned to conduct to Brazil one of my friends, the young botanist, Van der Schott; but as I could not hope, with my own resources, to make a voyage of such extent, and view so fine a portion of the globe, I determined to take the chances of this expedition. I obtained permission to embark, with the instruments I had collected, in one of the vessels destined for the South Sea, and I reserved to myself the liberty of leaving captain Baudin whenever I thought proper. M. Michaux, who had already visited Persia and a part of North America, and M. Bonpland, with whom I then formed the friendship that still unites us, were appointed to accompany this expedition as naturalists. I had flattered myself during several months with the idea of sharing the labours directed to so great and honourable an object when the war which broke out in Germany and Italy, determined the French government to withdraw the funds granted for their voyage of discovery, and adjourn it to an indefinite period. Deeply mortified at finding the plans I had formed during many years of my life overthrown in a single day, I sought at any risk the speediest means of quitting Europe, and engaging in some enterprise which might console me for my disappointment. I became acquainted with a Swedish consul, named Skioldebrand, who having been appointed by his court to carry presents to the dey of Algiers, was passing through Paris, to embark at Marseilles. This estimable man had resided a long time on the coast of Africa; and being highly respected by the government of Algiers, he could easily procure me permission to visit that part of the chain of the Atlas which had not been the object of the important researches of M. Desfontaines. He despatched every year a vessel for Tunis, where the pilgrims embarked for Mecca, and he promised to convey me by the same medium to Egypt. I eagerly seized so favourable an opportunity, and thought myself on the point of executing a plan which I had formed previously to my arrival in France. No mineralogist had yet examined that lofty chain of mountains which, in the empire of Morocco, rises to the limits of the perpetual snow. I flattered myself, that, after executing some operations in the alpine regions of Barbary, I should receive in Egypt from those illustrious men who had for some months formed the Institute of Cairo, the same kind attentions with which I had been honoured during my abode in Paris. I hastily completed my collection of instruments, and purchased works relating to the countries I was going to visit. I parted from a brother who, by his advice and example, had hitherto exercised a great influence on the direction of my thoughts. He approved the motives which determined me to quit Europe; a secret voice assured us that we should meet again; and that hope, which did not prove delusive, assuaged the pain of a long separation. I left Paris with the intention of embarking for Algiers and Egypt; but by one of those vicissitudes which sway the affairs of this life, I returned to my brother from the river Amazon and Peru, without having touched the continent of Africa. The Swedish frigate which was to convey M. Skioldebrand to Algiers, was expected at Marseilles toward the end of October. M. Bonpland and myself repaired thither with great celerity, for during our journey we were tormented with the fear of being too late, and missing our passage. M. Skioldebrand was no less impatient than ourselves to reach his place of destination. Several times a day we climbed the mountain of Notre Dame de la Garde, which commands an extensive view of the Mediterranean. Every sail we descried in the horizon excited in us the most eager emotion; but after two months of anxiety and vain expectation, we learned by the public papers, that the Swedish frigate which was to convey us, had suffered greatly in a storm on the coast of Portugal, and had been forced to enter the port of Cadiz, to refit. This news was confirmed by private letters, assuring us that the Jaramas, which was the name of the frigate, would not reach Marseilles before the spring. We felt no inclination to prolong our stay in Provence till that period. The country, and especially the climate, were delightful, but the aspect of the sea reminded us of the failure of our projects.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Memoirs of Hydrography
    MEMOIRS 07 HYDROGRAPHY INCLUDING Brief Biographies of the Principal Officers who have Served in H.M. NAVAL SURVEYING SERVICE BETWEEN THE YEARS 1750 and 1885 COMPILED BY COMMANDER L. S. DAWSON, R.N. I 1s t tw o PARTS. P a r t II.—1830 t o 1885. EASTBOURNE: HENRY W. KEAY, THE “ IMPERIAL LIBRARY.” iI i / PREF A CE. N the compilation of Part II. of the Memoirs of Hydrography, the endeavour has been to give the services of the many excellent surveying I officers of the late Indian Navy, equal prominence with those of the Royal Navy. Except in the geographical abridgment, under the heading of “ Progress of Martne Surveys” attached to the Memoirs of the various Hydrographers, the personal services of officers still on the Active List, and employed in the surveying service of the Royal Navy, have not been alluded to ; thereby the lines of official etiquette will not have been over-stepped. L. S. D. January , 1885. CONTENTS OF PART II ♦ CHAPTER I. Beaufort, Progress 1829 to 1854, Fitzroy, Belcher, Graves, Raper, Blackwood, Barrai, Arlett, Frazer, Owen Stanley, J. L. Stokes, Sulivan, Berard, Collinson, Lloyd, Otter, Kellett, La Place, Schubert, Haines,' Nolloth, Brock, Spratt, C. G. Robinson, Sheringham, Williams, Becher, Bate, Church, Powell, E. J. Bedford, Elwon, Ethersey, Carless, G. A. Bedford, James Wood, Wolfe, Balleny, Wilkes, W. Allen, Maury, Miles, Mooney, R. B. Beechey, P. Shortland, Yule, Lord, Burdwood, Dayman, Drury, Barrow, Christopher, John Wood, Harding, Kortright, Johnson, Du Petit Thouars, Lawrance, Klint, W. Smyth, Dunsterville, Cox, F. W. L. Thomas, Biddlecombe, Gordon, Bird Allen, Curtis, Edye, F.
    [Show full text]
  • Memoirs of Hydrography
    MEMOIRS OF HYDROGRAPHY INCLUDING B rief Biographies o f the Principal Officers who have Served in H.M. NAVAL SURVEYING SERVICE BETWEEN THE YEARS 17 5 0 and 1885 COMPILED BY COMMANDER L. S. DAWSON, R.N. i i nsr TWO PARTS. P a r t I .— 1 7 5 0 t o 1 8 3 0 . EASTBOURNE : HENRY W. KEAY, THE “ IMPERIAL LIBRARY.” THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 8251.70 A ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R 1936 L Digitized by PRE F A CE. ♦ N gathering together, and publishing, brief memoirs of the numerous maritime surveyors of all countries, but chiefly of Great Britain, whose labours, extending over upwards of a century, have contributed the I means or constructing the charted portion óf the world, the author claims no originality. The task has been one of research, compilation, and abridgment, of a pleasant nature, undertaken during leisure evenings, after official hours spent in duties and undertakings of a kindred description. Numerous authorities have been consulted, and in some important instances, freely borrowed from ; amongst which, may be mentioned, former numbers of the Nautical Magazine, the Journals of the Royal Geographical Society, published accounts of voyages, personal memoirs, hydrographic works, the Naval Chronicle, Marshall, and O'Bymes Naval Biographies, &c. The object aimed at has been, to produce in a condensed form, a work, useful for hydrographic reference, and sufficiently matter of fact, for any amongst the naval surveyors of the past, who may care to take it up, for reference—and at the same time,—to handle dry dates and figures, in such a way, as to render such matter, sufficiently light and entertaining, for the present and rising generation of naval officers, who, possessing a taste for similar labours to those enumerated, may elect a hydrographic career.
    [Show full text]
  • Growth and Evolution of an Emergent Tuff Cone: Considerations from Structural Geology, Geomorphology and Facies Analysis of São Roque Volcano, São Miguel (Azores)
    Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 180 (2009) 277–291 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jvolgeores Growth and evolution of an emergent tuff cone: Considerations from structural geology, geomorphology and facies analysis of São Roque volcano, São Miguel (Azores) Vittorio Zanon ⁎, José Pacheco, Adriano Pimentel Centro de Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos Geológicos, Universidade dos Açores, Rua Mãe de Deus, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal article info abstract Available online 10 October 2008 The syn-eruptive and post-eruptive history of São Roque tuff cone, its geological setting and volcanological features were studied in detail to understand the role played by the different factors that contributed to the Keywords: morphological evolution of this relatively simple and small volcanic edifice. tuff cones In addition, attention was also focused on the series of natural changes that affected the tuff cone during the morphological changes course of the years and that finally led to its structural disassembly. A novel model is proposed to explain this tectonic facies analysis process. Azores The São Roque volcanic centre, located on the island of São Miguel (Azores), consists of two well-consolidated bodies and numerous small islets that formed more than 4700 years ago during the hydromagmatic activity that took place along an intruding dyke, whose NNW–SSE trend is in agreement with the regional tectonic pattern. The eruptive vents probably migrated progressively from SSE to NNW, forming small edifices through the rapid accumulation of sediments during alternating phases of “dry” and “wet” magmatic emissions.
    [Show full text]
  • Redalyc.A Study of the Dry Forest Communities in the Dominican
    Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências ISSN: 0001-3765 [email protected] Academia Brasileira de Ciências Brasil GARCÍA-FUENTES, ANTONIO; TORRES-CORDERO, JUAN A.; RUIZ-VALENZUELA, LUIS; LENDÍNEZ-BARRIGA, MARÍA LUCÍA; QUESADA-RINCÓN, JUAN; VALLE- TENDERO, FRANCISCO; VELOZ, ALBERTO; LEÓN, YOLANDA M.; SALAZAR- MENDÍAS, CARLOS A study of the dry forest communities in the Dominican Republic Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, vol. 87, núm. 1, marzo, 2015, pp. 249-274 Academia Brasileira de Ciências Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=32738838023 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências (2015) 87(1): 249-274 (Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences) Printed version ISSN 0001-3765 / Online version ISSN 1678-2690 http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201520130510 www.scielo.br/aabc A study of the dry forest communities in the Dominican Republic ANTONIO GARCÍA-FUENTES1, JUAN A. TORRES-CORDERO1, LUIS RUIZ-VALENZUELA1, MARÍA LUCÍA LENDÍNEZ-BARRIGA1, JUAN QUESADA-RINCÓN2, FRANCISCO VALLE-TENDERO3, ALBERTO VELOZ4, YOLANDA M. LEÓN5 and CARLOS SALAZAR-MENDÍAS1 1Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, s/n, 23071 Jaén, España 2Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales y Bioquímica, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Carlos III, s/n, 45071 Toledo, España 3Departamento de Botánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, Avda.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogeny of the Tribe Cinchoneae (Rubiaceae), Its Position in Cinchonoideae, and Description of a New Genus, Ciliosemina
    54 (1) • February 2005: 17–28 Andersson & Antonelli • Phylogeny of Cinchoneae MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS Phylogeny of the tribe Cinchoneae (Rubiaceae), its position in Cinchonoideae, and description of a new genus, Ciliosemina Lennart Andersson* & Alexandre Antonelli Botanical Institute, Göteborg University, P. O. Box 461, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. alexandre.antonelli@ botany.gu.se (author for correspondence) Relationships of and within the Rubiaceae tribe Cinchoneae were estimated based on DNA sequence variation in five loci: the ITS region, the matK and rbcL genes, the rps16 intron, and the trnL-F region including the trnL intron and the trnL-F intergenic spacer. Within Cinchonoideae s.s., the tribe Naucleeae is the sister group of a clade that comprises all other taxa. Cinchoneae and Isertieae s.s., are strongly supported as sister groups. The tribe Cinchoneae is strongly supported as monophyletic in a restricted sense, including the genera Cinchona, Cinchonopsis, Joosia, Ladenbergia, Remijia and Stilpnophyllum. There is strong support that these genera are monophyletic as presently conceived, except that one species mostly referred to Remijia is of uncer- tain phylogenetic affinity. To accommodate this species and a morphologically closely similar one, a new genus, Ciliosemina A. Antonelli, is proposed and two new combinations are made. KEYWORDS: Cinchona, Cinchoneae, Cinchonopsis, Joosia, Ladenbergia, Remijia, Stilpnophyllum, Rubiaceae; ITS, matK, rbcL, rps16 intron, trnL-F. oideae. Bremekamp (e.g., 1966) revised Schumann’s INTRODUCTION classification and redefined Cinchonoideae to comprise Traditionally (e.g., Candolle, 1830; Schumann, only genera without raphides, with imbricate or valvate 1891, 1897; Robbrecht, 1988), the tribe Cinchoneae has corolla aestivation and testa cells with coarsely pitted been circumscribed to include about 50 genera with basal walls.
    [Show full text]
  • Woody and Herbaceous Plants Native to Haiti for Use in Miami-Dade Landscapes1
    Woody and Herbaceous Plants Native to Haiti For use in Miami-Dade Landscapes1 Haiti occupies the western one third of the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic the remainder. Of all the islands within the Caribbean basin Hispaniola possesses the most varied flora after that of Cuba. The plants contained in this review have been recorded as native to Haiti, though some may now have been extirpated due in large part to severe deforestation. Less than 1.5% of the country’s original tree-cover remains. Haiti’s future is critically tied to re- forestation; loss of tree cover has been so profound that exotic fast growing trees, rather than native species, are being used to halt soil erosion and lessen the risk of mudslides. For more information concerning Haiti’s ecological plight consult references at the end of this document. For present purposes all of the trees listed below are native to Haiti, which is why non-natives such as mango (the most widely planted tree) and other important trees such as citrus, kassod tree (Senna siamea) and lead tree (Leucanea leucocephala) are not included. The latter two trees are among the fast growing species used for re-forestation. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s Flora of the West Indies was an invaluable tool in assessing the range of plants native to Haiti. Not surprisingly many of the listed trees and shrubs 1 John McLaughlin Ph.D. U.F./Miami-Dade County Extension Office, Homestead, FL 33030 Page | 1 are found in other parts of the Caribbean with some also native to South Florida.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 AAZV Proceedings.Pdf
    PROCEEDINGS 2016 JOINT AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIANS (AAZV) EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE VETERINARIANS (EAZWV) LEIBNIZ INSTITUTE FOR ZOO AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH (IZW) CONFERENCE Atlanta, Georgia July 16-22, 2016 CHARLOTTE KIRK BAER PROCEEDINGS EDITOR CONTINUING EDUCATION Continuing education sponsored by the American College of Zoological Medicine. Continuing education credits provided by: Wildlife Conservation Society provides the funding to the American College of Zoological Medicine to register as a certified CE provider for the state of New York. Attendees licensed in New York will receive CE credits for the AAZV 48th Annual Conference. DISCLAIMER The information appearing in this publication comes exclusively from the authors and contributors identified in each manuscript. The techniques and procedures presented reflect the individual knowledge, experience, and personal views of the authors and contributors. The information presented does not incorporate all known techniques and procedures and is not exclusive. Other procedures, techniques, and technology might also be available. Any questions or requests for additional information concerning any of the manuscripts should be addressed directly to the authors. The sponsoring associations of this conference and resulting publication have not undertaken direct research or formal review to verify the information contained in this publication. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host associations. The associations are not responsible for errors or for opinions expressed in this publication. The host associations expressly disclaim any warranties or guarantees, expressed or implied, and shall not be liable for damages of any kind in connection with the material, information, techniques, or procedures set forth in this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • Gypsy Moth Management in the United States: a Cooperative Approach
    Gypsy Moth Management in the United States: a cooperative approach Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Volume II of IV Chapters 1-8 and Appendixes A-E United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Newtown Square, PA NA–MB–01–12 August 2012 Gypsy Moth Management in the United States: a cooperative approach Type of Statement: Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Area covered by statement: The 50 United States and District of Columbia Lead agency: Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Responsible official: James R. Hubbard, Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry Sidney R. Yates Federal Building 201 14th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20250 For more information: Noel F. Schneeberger, Forest Health Program Leader Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry 11 Campus Boulevard, Suite 200 Newtown Square, PA 19073 610–557–4121 [email protected] Joint lead agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Responsible official: Rebecca A. Bech, Deputy Administrator for Plant Protection and Quarantine 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 302-E Washington, DC 20250 For more information: Julie S. Spaulding, Gypsy Moth Program Coordinator Emergency and Domestic Programs 4700 River Road, Unit 137 Riverdale, MD 20737 301–851–2184 [email protected] Abstract: The USDA Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are proposing an addition to the gypsy moth management program that was described in the 1995 Environmental Impact Statement—Gypsy Moth Management in the United States: a cooperative approach—and chosen in the 1996 Record of Decision.
    [Show full text]
  • (Rubiaceae), a Uniquely Distylous, Cleistogamous Species Eric (Eric Hunter) Jones
    Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2012 Floral Morphology and Development in Houstonia Procumbens (Rubiaceae), a Uniquely Distylous, Cleistogamous Species Eric (Eric Hunter) Jones Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES FLORAL MORPHOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT IN HOUSTONIA PROCUMBENS (RUBIACEAE), A UNIQUELY DISTYLOUS, CLEISTOGAMOUS SPECIES By ERIC JONES A dissertation submitted to the Department of Biological Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awarded: Summer Semester, 2012 Eric Jones defended this dissertation on June 11, 2012. The members of the supervisory committee were: Austin Mast Professor Directing Dissertation Matthew Day University Representative Hank W. Bass Committee Member Wu-Min Deng Committee Member Alice A. Winn Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members, and certifies that the dissertation has been approved in accordance with university requirements. ii I hereby dedicate this work and the effort it represents to my parents Leroy E. Jones and Helen M. Jones for their love and support throughout my entire life. I have had the pleasure of working with my father as a collaborator on this project and his support and help have been invaluable in that regard. Unfortunately my mother did not live to see me accomplish this goal and I can only hope that somehow she knows how grateful I am for all she’s done. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge the members of my committee for their guidance and support, in particular Austin Mast for his patience and dedication to my success in this endeavor, Hank W.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogeny, Diversity, and Distribution in Exostema (Rubiaceae): Implications of Morphological and Molecular Analyses
    --Plant Pl. Syst. Evol. 212:215-246 (1998) Systematics and Evolution © Springer-Verlag 1998 Printed in Austria Phylogeny, diversity, and distribution in Exostema (Rubiaceae): implications of morphological and molecular analyses TIM McDOWELL and BIRGITTA BREMER Received December 2, 1996; in revised version August 4, 1997 Key words: Rubiaceae, Exostema. - Morphology, ITS sequences, cladistics, phylogeny, diversity, Caribbean biogeography. Abstraet: The neotropical genus Exostema comprises 25 species of trees and shrubs, ranging in distribution from Bolivia to Mexico and throughout the West Indies, with most species endemic to the Greater Antilles. Infrageneric relationships and species-level patterns of evolution were investigated in phylogenetic analyses using morphological, molecular, and combined data sets. All data sets resolved three main species groups which correspond to the three sections recognized by McDOWELL (1996). However, the analyses of ITS sequence data placed the two South American species basal to the three main clades. Otherwise, the morphological and molecular data are highly compatible, and produce a more robust yet consistent phylogeny in the combined data analysis. Morphological evolution in Exostema involves many specializations for xeric habitats, reflecting repeated ecological shifts from mois~ forest to exposed, seasonally dry environments during the diversification of the genus. Both moth and bee pollination syndromes are found in Exostema, and shifts in pollination ecology appear pivotal to the differentiation of the three sections. Biogeographically, Exostema likely originated in South America and migrated via Central America to the Greater Antilles, where the morphological diversification and speciation are most extensive. The genus Exostema (PERSOON) BONPLAND (Rubiaceae) comprises 25 species of trees and shrubs ranging in distribution from Peru to Mexico, throughout the islands of the Caribbean, to the Bahamas and Florida Keys (McDOWELL 1995).
    [Show full text]
  • Equinoctial Regions of America
    Equinoctial Regions of America Alexander von Humboldt Equinoctial Regions of America Table of Contents Equinoctial Regions of America..............................................................................................................................1 Alexander von Humboldt...............................................................................................................................2 EDITOR'S PREFACE....................................................................................................................................3 INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHOR........................................................................................................5 CHAPTER 1.1.............................................................................................................................................13 CHAPTER 1.2.............................................................................................................................................32 CHAPTER 1.3.............................................................................................................................................68 CHAPTER 1.4.............................................................................................................................................77 CHAPTER 1.5.............................................................................................................................................89 CHAPTER 1.6...........................................................................................................................................101
    [Show full text]
  • Tmd'a Woody Plant List Forl@Tlgua and Barbuda
    Tmd’a Woody Plant list for l@tlgua and Barbuda: Past and Present John Francis, Cados Riira, and Julio Figurema S_ Durina;thel7thandl8~centuriea,theielandofAntiguawas~~ foragri~.viuauyalloftheremaining foresbwemcutover,grazed,and bumed.Sincethe aba&mentofaugamne~vati~xnuchofthelandhas retunledtQsecondaryf&.BarbudasufferedmeiIllyfromovercuttiIlgand overgrazing begiming in the 17th century. Very heavy grazing preamre con- tinues in ISarbuda. l&spit23 great d&W, a mqjority of the native qe45ee remainrmbothislande.Lista0fnativeandexoticepecieaarep~~bere.A prote&i~plansbauldbe~hedforsevleralareasmboth~ Tk~ward a Woody Plant List for Antigua and Barbuda: Past and Present John Francis, Carlos Rivera, and Julio Figureroa INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY hectares of Antigua to grow up as secondary forest while sparing the pre-existing secondary forest from Antigua and Barbuda are two small islands with a further disturbance. total area of 440 km2 located in the Lesser Antilles in English attempts to settle Barbuda began in 1628 the eastern Caribbean. Although not differing greatly and continued intermittently with attacks of the in size and separated by only 50 km, the origin and Caribs and French until early in the 18th century. The physiography of the islands are quite different. Antigua small island community subsisted for almost three cen- was formed by vulcanism more than 40 million years turies by raising livestock. During this period, vir- ago during the Eocene. The rock foundation of Bar- tually every tree large enough to use for construction buda is entirely of Pleistocene limestone. A land bridge materials was felled. Grazing must have been intense, apparently connected the two islands during the and fuelwood cutting heavy, at least near Codrington, Pleistocene (Schuchert 1935).
    [Show full text]