The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-06
UNKNOWN SOUTH AMERICA.
North American Ignorance of Country
south of the Isthmus.
Baltimore American.

DdltlmOre American.
The United States was the first nation to
recognize the independence of the South
American republics, and over them is raised
the aegis of the Monroe doctrine almos:
eighty years ago; yet compared with the
Europeans, we in America are profoundly
ignorant about South America We know
almost nothing of its scenic wonder, for we
do not visit them; our share in its explora-
ton is Insignificant; what information the
world has of its flora and fauna has been
gieaned by Europeans mainly; our knowl-
edge OF its ethnology also comes from them,
and the same may be said of the history of
American sources almost no account Of the
rise of the Spanish republics can be had);
and 1T is European and not American cap
ltal that has opened up its wilderness, built
its cities and railroads and established its
industries. How many Americans have seen
Ecuador's avenue Of volcanoes" twenty
of whose mighty crests exceed 5000 feet?
How many Americans have heard Of the
Paulo Alfonso falls, on the Rio San Fran
cisco, with their descent of 800 feet and
volume Of 10000 cubic feet per second;
Farana, which in combination during the
rainy season challenge the grandeur of
Niagara?
How many Americans are familiar with
General San Martins achievement in max
ing the passage of the Uspalata Pasa, IL. 700
feet above sea level, with an army of 5000
men-infantry, cavalry and artillery-in the
war OF independence in 1917? The Great
st. Bernard. over which Napoleon led an
army, is 5000 feet lower than Upsalata.
And writ in water, so far as most of us are
concerned, is the heroic defense of the Par
aguavans in the war of 1S65-70 with Brazil,
Argentine and Uruguay. when the popula-
ton of Paraguay declined from 100000 to
225OO0. and none but women, old men and
children were left of people distinguished
for their gentleness and amiability.
For the American naturalist, botanist
hunter and traveller. no part of the world
should have more attractions. Brazil alone
has l. 200 species of birds, many of splendid
iridescent plumage; no less than fifty kinds
of apes: fifty varieties of snakes, including
the water boa, which swallows horses and
men; eight species of alligators, the yacare-
guaza, twenty-seven feet long; twenty-four
bats, including the loathsome vampire
| (Phyllostoma Spectrum), two feet in wing
stretch. that kills cattle and fastens on
| sleeping children. and 1900 distinct marine
creatures. Eight thousand species of bee
| ties have been recorded in Ecuador; in the
| calaambo IL has a snake which is domes-
ticated and trained TO patrol gardens and
| in the fiautero bird whose song so re-
| sembles the sound of a flute as to deceive
the practiced ear. Among the apes OF equa-
torial South America is the bowler which
has developed kind of tribal organization
| under a chief, who leads chorus of dis
NAL music. unlike that of any other animal
and heard for miles at dawn and sunset. A
curiosity of the plant world in Peru is the
| Tamai caspi, or rain tree. which grows TO
| height of sixty feet and absorbs the hu-
| nudity of the atmosphere in such abun-
| dance that in drouths water drips from its
branches. SO many strange things that are
| I'm the animal and vegetable kingdom of
South America that no prudent person
would do more than suggest the wealth
/ OF them. In the first quarter of the TWEEN
| tieth century most of the exploration and
/ exploiting of South America will be done
| by citizens OF the United States. because
/ the commercial interest of this country will
| point the way. The political are growing
| in importance