The various branches of human knowledge are so intimately interwoven, that it is hard to conceive an improvement in one which does not conduce to the advantage of the others. The modes of connection which exist between the numerous objects of mental research, are, like the membranes that embrace the humours of the eye, so minute and transparent, that while they give union and solidity to the whole, they themselves remain unperceived, or wholly invisible. The general advancement in knowledge which followed the discovery of the art of printing, and the increased activity and spirit of mercantile enterprise resulting from the discoveries of Columbus and Vasco de Gama, all seemed to conspire to the improvement of geography; and one might have supposed that this study would have been the first to arrive at perfection: but notwithstanding the zeal with which geographical enquiries were prosecuted during the sixteenth century, this science grew up with so many original imperfections, that its rudeness and deformity, compared with its sister sciences, became continually more conspicuous.

No errors are so difficult to correct as those which are adopted by the people. Opinions received implicitly are seldom overturned by the arguments of reason; thus geography laboured under a disadvantage from the very popularity of its nature. A system was in vogue, and, though manifestly incorrect, still maintained its ground until the scientific principles against which it offended became as generally known and recognised. The most eminent geographers of the l6th and 17th centuries were men of learning, who, in the spirit of that age, adopted with zeal and obstinacy all the mistakes committed by the writers of antiquity.

M. von Humboldt had promised Baudin, that, if ever the projected expedition destined for the southern hemisphere were put into execution, he would join it: accordingly, when a report reached him that the ships had sailed from France, with instructions to double Cape Horn and touch on the coasts of Chili and Peru, he immediately left Cuba to cross South America, in order to meet the French navigator. And it was not till he reached Quito, that he learned that captain Baudin's expedition had taken a different course, and was to circumnavigate the globe from west to east.

In March, 1801, Humboldt and his friend Bonpland arrived from Cuba at Carthagena, with the intention of ascending to Santa Fé de Bogota, the capital of New Granada, and to cross from thence to the elevated plains of Quito. But preparatory to this long journey, and to avoid the heats of Carthagena, they resided at the beautiful village of Turbaco, which is situated among the hills, at the height of 1200 feet above the ocean. The Indians who attended our travellers in their herbalisations often told them of a marshy country, situated amidst a forest of palm trees, and called the Little Volcanoes. They related that, according to traditions still existing among them, this country had been formerly in flames; but that a very pious man had succeeded in extinguishing the subterraneous fire, by sprinkling it with holy water.