The Andes and the Amazon; or Across the Continent of South America

8vo [21 x 14 cm]; xxiv, [25]-356 pp, frontis, illus, engraved plates, large folding map at rear, steel-engraved portrait of Colonel Staunton with the tissue guard, index. original cloth, gilt title lettering on spine and front cover, spine ends a little frayed, lower front cover worn with chip otherwise very good, minor foxing on few leaves but a clean copy, map untorn, the book is dedicated to Charles Darwin. A picture of Borba de Moraes p 637. Sabin 57727. Welch 234. The journey across much of South America was mainly scientific (part of the Smithsonian expedition of 1867), studying the natural history, geography, geology and local society. There is some detail on the botany of the region, including the coca plant (cocaine), ('Thirty million pounds are annually consumed in South America. It is not, however, an opiate, but a powerful stimulant. With it, the Indian will perform prodigies of labor, travelling days without fatigue or food.'), together with a plate on it. The expedition started at Quayaquil, to Quito, over the Eastern and Western Cordilleras, through the forest on foot to Napo, down the Rio Napo by canoe to Pebas on the Maranon and by steamer to Para.