RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of Azara, Voyages dans l'Amérique Méridionale. CUL-DAR42.146. Edited by John van Wyhe (The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and John van Wyhe, edited by John van Wyhe 1.2022. RN2
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR42 contains notes for Darwin's book South America (1846). Paper watermarked 1838?
Azara, Félix de. 1809. Voyages dans l'Amérique Méridionale, par Don Félix de Azara, commissaire et commandant des limites espagnoles dans le Paraguay depuis 1781 jusqu'en 1801; contenant la description géographique, politique et civile du Paraguay et de la rivière de La Plata; l'histoire de la découverte et de la conquête de ces contrées; des détails nombreux sur leur histoire Naturelle, et sur les peuples sauvages qui les habitent; le récit des moyens employés par les Jésuites pour assujétir et civiliser les indigènes, etc. Publiés d'après les manuscrits de l'auteur, avec une notice sur sa vie et ses écrits, par C. A. Walckenaer; enrichis de notes par G. Cuvier, secrétaire perpétuel de la classe des sciences physiques de l'Institut, etc. Suivis de l'histoire Naturelle des oiseaux du Paraguay etc de La Plata, par le même auteur, traduite, d'après l'original espagnol, et augmentée d'un grand nombre de notes, par M. Sonnini; accompagnés d'un atlas de cong-cinq planches. 4 vols. and atlas. Paris: Dentu. vol. 1 Text vol. 2 Text vol. 3 Text vol. 4 Text
[146]
Vol I
1793 - Lightning fell 37 times in the interior of B. Ayres & killed 19 people p. 36
Thinks Parana has not, one foot of fall, in a mile of Latitude between 16° 24' & 22° 57'
p 41. Bright coloured clays more abundant towards coast of Brazil
{All the countries East of Parana not saliferous granitic all west saliferous. - p. 55
connect Mr Lonsdale's idea with saliferous rivers.
Salinas in Chaco: on coast of river Vermejo p. 56, Saltpetre in Paraguay
[146v]
Starting in 27° 47' 42 Santiago, 70 leagues in straight line by bearing N 85 E. - whole of this plain without single stone, which happens in whole extent of Chaco. (account mentioned in investigation of Meteoric iron)
NB. Palms grow within 9°. of glaciers to water's edge
Attend to the course of rivers for form of land surrounding Estuary of old Plata. - The sources of the Paraguay Lat 13° Sierra de Paraguay Mines Parana in Goyoza with Mines.
[146b]
25° 41 on Parana grand cascade waterfall; // The whole affluence of the Plata very few pebbles.
Azara has written History of Quadrupeds.
Azara distinctly states extraordinary change produced by the introduction of the cattle} perhaps no country more altered than La Plata by Man. - It
Azara. p. 175 Observed Wasp dragging killed spider, 163 steps., through tall grass in straight line to nest. Made little "demi tours d environ trois palmes" to find road - p. 179 remarks that poison must [illeg] against corruption! for
[146bv]
& caterpillars keeping so long
According to Charpentier de Cossigny, only two years ago snails were introduced into Mauritius p. 196.
Fleas only appear in winter in Paraguay Hence thinks they could not have crossed Equatorial regions p. 207
La Vinchuca. Les individus ailès peuvent avoir cinq lignes de long et volent 208
Scaribæus so fine smell that before person has done his do, beetle appears p. 210
In Paraguay gregarious Spiders see some account. p. 213. Walconer thinks it a Theridion.
[Slight notice] on Habits of Iguana [word destroyed] Lat 28°. Northward, p. 23[obscured by tape]
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 9 August, 2025