Beitrage zur Ethnographie und Sprachenkunde Amerika’s zumal Brasiliens: 1. Zur Ethnographie

Beitrage zur Ethnographie (1867) is Carl von Martius’ colourful and personal memoir of his travels to Brazil in the years 1817-1820. Although better known as a botanist, Martius here ventures into the territory of ethnographic and linguistic studies, writing about the indigenous peoples of the Americas and Brazil. Volume 1 consists of three lectures. In the first, Martius addresses the past and future of the American people, focusing on such aspects as their physiognomy and psyche as well as their country’s influence on the world in general. The second and third lectures are devoted to Brazil. Martius first describes his experiences of the society, customs and traditions of the Brazilian Tupi Indians. He then gives a thorough overview of the many different groups of native Brazilians. A map of previous and current Tupi Indian settlements is also included.