The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-10-18
Scientific Exploration.


We have had the pleasure Of interview with Profess
T.. G. Francis, OF Iowa, who leaves TO day on the
lessor N Moore late President Of the iowa State Ly-
Of Natural History These gentlemen will pro badly
be joined in Cuba by Professor Benjamin Sman, the son
OF Professor Sman or Yale College, and perhaps
two other scientific gentlemen from the North and viii
proceed at TO Aspn wall on their way TO South Ame
RIGA. This expedition originated young sister State
Iowa. aud c0untenanced and supp, by many of her
public men, although State aid has bean granted to H.
The object thorough exploration OF the fauna flora
and geological character of OF the NEST interesting
and least known regions Of South America 1t Is In TACT
going TO wrese with the mighty Andes, beginning at
above the valleys Of Ecuador-the Switzerland OF South
Amerca-and thence will traverse that immense chain
northward into the southern portion of New Granada
This gion has not been traversed oy foreign expo
since Humboldt and Ronpand, q Ii tie more tina
fifty years agoascended the Magdaena river and pursued
their journey southwark in contrary direction that
which our American explorers intend to take Caldas
Mosquera and few other Granadsns eminent Ia science
an politics. have been unrng observers Of their native
land but the great results attained by the first named
lie buried in the archives of Spain where they were
transmitted by the Spanish officers on the triumph Of
Bolivar, the Lborator, their author having become
victim to the fury of internecine strife Neither
have the eminenty useful and instructive scientific data
gathered by Cen Mosquera, during thirty years Of con-
tinued observation and study been duly given to the
lille Of HGeographicsl Memoir i Of New GRANADA"
from his pen published by the Geographical Society
of New York. about year SINCE and numerous essays
on special subjects, written by him, scattered
through the scientific journals and magazines Of Europe
Thus the field OF scentnc inquiry upon which Amer
Aborers about TO enter presents TO them
gaInered harvest rich the uxurisnt vegetation Of the
tropics, from the fever expelliHg cnchona growing at
the height Of thousand above level sea-
the almost umbered plants that cothe It's fer
Valleys rich In ornithoogy, from the mighty condor TO
the exqusitely beautiful emerald humming bird; In
fauna whose hauns and habits almost unknown As
the writer has had the pleasure of few months travel
in portion of the country these gentlemen intend to
visit can give running sketch Of their pro posed
trip.
mr. w am
bark the British that along the
coast of America to the ports of the South Pacific Land
ing at Guayaqu, pleasant stage coach ride Of eighty
miles will take them to Quito and there at point that
rather terminus than commencement Of jour
ney will they complete their preparations and begin fresh
from the energetic North their labors and their studies
Here the volcano Of Coopax rising nineteen thousand
feet abovehe sea- amid the concentrated knot OF
the Andes chain and the plains Of Esmealda will for
time engage their attention They will procure and send
home specimens OF the condor the great vulture that
flies from the summit Of the highest mountains to the
to ieed and gorged returns to hs snowy perch ut night
OF the lama the sole beast Of burden Of ANCIENT In
cas- Of the asua the American lon OF all the deid aud
forest there TO be found and Of the geological
After giving this region faithful examination, they
will wend their way norihuard through the old Inca
country and along the route pursued By the conquerng
bands Of Pzarro three srce retracing the foot
steps Of Humboldt and opa nd TO the old Spanish city
OF Popayan Of the great seats of the golden wealth
cqsso dor.s On the way Paste and It's reputed
mines Of sapphires and rubcs will be ex-
plored, and all this native region OF the earth
Popsyan they will visit the volcano of Purace, whose
burning entas few years since gave distinct and coz
Dued responses TO the mighty bechngs OF the volcanic
eruptions in Guatemala, thousand miles distant
Pursuing their way northward along the beautiful val
ley OF The Cauca river, whose climate soil and produc
tons asserted by the natives TO be second only TO
those Of the Garden OF Eden explorers will rest at
the city OF Cali Here the immense natural deposits OF
coal, hon and limestone, which are said to exist within
few leagues Of the Pacific shore, will be subjected 10
minute investigation. They expect to find there another
corps OF American explorers who have been sent out
from New York by General Mosquera for the purpose Of
tnng road from this valley the port OF Buenaven
ura, the Pacific Descending this beautiful valley
short distance further they viii their steps east
ward and crossing the chain of the Andes by the
fed atmosphere mules 10 labor and the only
burden casrer they win descend TO tho fertile and popu
lour valley OF the upper Magdalena.
Ascending the slope OF the eastern cnan OF the Andes
they will reach Bogota the capital Of New Granada. In
this vicinity they will visit the sublime falls OF Tequenda
ma the interesting emerald mines OF Muzo the strange
mummy Of veez sDd subject 70 close inspection
toe natural phenomena OF that plain that aosg
the mountains nine thousand feet above the sea- Turn
ing their steps again TO the southwark they will cross
the strange natural bridge OF Paud aud ascending the
valley OF the upper MagdaenA visiting the old and ii
recently lest Spanish city Of Ia Plata aud the still more
Of Agustn This OF the cities OF
Incas the OF which have been lately DISCO
vered and where haf ruined palaces and temples with
their wallis and sacrcal affairs supported BY figures OF
row Ways paved with HAT stones, and svergrowa by
luxuriAnt forest.
for time OF the Of civilized Ie and seeking
the bead waters Of the Amazon follow their
thousands Of es through the great level regions Of
Southern AmerA, until they empty In the Atlantic
ocean The enterprise 10 one that oommeuds itself 10
every nqurng mind, and under the guidance Of the emit
ncnt gentlemen who conduct 10 We doubt not II viii be
fruitful In Scientific aud also In practical results We
wlsb them heartfelt God speed their long and toll
journey, and at the same time Congratulate our
young and prosperous sister 5ls Iowa. upon the
der Of the enterprise which she has sent forth In her
youthful time