Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-02-02
SOTTH .s.HERTC.s.

The southern half of our great continent
possesses very great natural resources, as
we'll as points Of interest to the historian,
the geologist, the ethnologist, and other
scientists and these resources are being
turned to good account with a rapiditv
which is limited only by the paucity OF
population. The immense pasturages afford
subsistence to countless he DIS of cattle, and
the raising Of stock is so cheap that the cx-
port Of the hides, horns, and tallow well re-
pays the farmer coffee is a staple produc-
ton ofvery great value, and the sugar pro-
duction is being largely extended. In
mineral productions, South America is OK
ceedingly rich, but it will probably be
centuries before these are all made avail
able for the service of mankind The su-
perior intelligence of the Anglo. Saxon race
and the accumulated capital of the United
States and Europe will probably be well
occupied in developing the metallic depos-
its of Missouri, Utah, Nevada, Wisconsin
and Minnesota for n long time to come.
These interesting facts concerning South
America are chiefly known to us through
commercial enterprises; but we have new
Intelligence of some recent travels and in
vostigatiOns which we think deserve men
ton in our columns.
To an enlightened traveller. with a mind
capable of learning the lessons spread be.
fore him in the great book of Nature, South
America offers one of the most inviting
fields for labor and study. The vast RoJu
Of tropical plants, the gigantic mountains
and valleys, and the geological formations
Of almost infinite extent and variety, have
long been the iavorite themes of students
and writers Of science; and from the early
days of Humboldt to the present time
South America has been a rich field for the
investigator of natural phenomena. Weld.
ing abundant and ample reward for the
closest and most diligent study. OF its
value in this regard, our rcatest sarans
have long been convinced and many
among those who have personally exam
med the great natural beauties and charac-
terlst cs, interesting and valuable to lovers
of each Individual science, have written.
for the worlds benefit. long and interest
ing accounts of the sights, discoveries. and
peculiarities that abound in that country.
The chief points in the cosmography are
the mountains, forests, plains, and rivers.
all of which are of magnitude surpassinu
those of other lands. Notwithstanding the
tropical latitude of the northern portion of
South America, the climate il sinpularlv
mild and equable, owing chiefly to the con-
tinuancc of the trade winds. And plants
of prodigious number and variety. attain
n I'm M e Al.
OF olher countries can scarcely conceive.
Forests, extending over two thirds of the
continent, Astounding in trees ofgreat height.
covered with flowers of surprising bril-
Iancy to the very summit. have given
South America "A title to be considered the
natural garden of the world. Humboldt.
in speaking Of this wonderful luxuriance
states that, 'indivdual plants, languishing
IN Lighthouses, can give US but faint idea
OF the majestic vegetation of the tropical
zone While the trees and ilowerin shrubs
are clothed with such extraordinary beauty.
tue forests are populated with birds whose
plumage outshnes that of the winged tribes
of any other region, in variety, brilliancy
and vividness of color. Many of the most
useful animals, moreover, are indigenous
TO the st,l or tboso oro tI,n ol,,oa, ut,
ma and tho ruonaco rho -, ' - ',t
rival thn hirds In Loor,,, 80 ~, 49,, So
Reptilos ON tbo other hand aro nn,'.,ni IT,
and noxious, many species of
snakes being natives of Brazil. White ants
abAund and oro ca dos,rma,i,o ,t"' ~ a"''
boldt states that no was nnahIo 70 Gn1 a
one bundrod yoars Oh 49,, J
the geological features ara no loss ror,arI.
able. Coal is found at a HEIGHT ofnoorIy