Through the Brazilian Wilderness · Chapter
List of Illustrations explained
This chapter lists the illustrations included in the book, featuring photographs by various expedition members such as Kermit Roosevelt, Cherrie, Miller, Fiala, and Harper.
What happens
This chapter lists the illustrations included in the book, featuring photographs by various expedition members such as Kermit Roosevelt, Cherrie, Miller, Fiala, and Harper. The images document the journey, including portraits of Colonel Roosevelt and Colonel Rondon, wildlife (jaguars, piranhas, anteaters, tapirs, birds), indigenous peoples and their villages, landscapes, rapids, portages, and key events like the descent of the River of Doubt.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and Wildlife
Numerous illustrations depict South American wildlife, including jaguars, piranhas, anteaters, tapirs, birds, and reptiles, highlighting the region's biodiversity.
Cultural Encounter and Ethnography
Photographs of indigenous peoples (Parecís, Nhambiquaras, Tupi) and their villages, dances, and daily life document cultural encounters.
Exploration and Adventure
Images of rapids, portages, canoes, and the descent of the River of Doubt capture the challenges and spirit of exploration.
Characters to notice
- Theodore Roosevelt
Appears in multiple illustrations, including portraits with Colonel Rondon, hunting scenes, and during the descent of the River of Doubt.
- Colonel Candido Mariano da Silva Rondon
Featured in photographs with Colonel Roosevelt and at the monument erected by him.
- Kermit Roosevelt
Photographer of many illustrations; also appears in a portrait and his diary used for the sketch map.
- George K. Cherrie
Photographer of several images; appears in a canoe and his diary contributed to the map.
- Leo E. Miller
Photographer of several wildlife and landscape images.
- Anthony Fiala
Photographer of portraits and expedition scenes.
Key passages
“The mussurama swallowing the jararaca, or fer-de-lance, after having just killed it. From a photograph by Maza. Method of the mussurama’s attack upon the jararaca. Reproduced by courtesy of Dr. Vital Brazil.”
A photograph shows a mussurama snake swallowing a jararaca (fer-de-lance) it has just killed, illustrating the snake's attack method, courtesy of Dr. Vital Brazil.
Depicts a dramatic predator-prey interaction between two snake species.
“The Rapids of Navaïté. There were many curls, and one or two regular falls. From a photograph by Cherrie. Cherrie holding a rifle to show the width of the rapids at Navaïté. At one point it was less than two yards across.”
The Navaïté Rapids featured many curls and a few small waterfalls; Cherrie posed with a rifle to demonstrate the narrow width, which at one spot was under two yards.
Highlights the treacherous and narrow rapids encountered during the descent.
“The mothers carried the child slung against their side or hip, seated in a cloth belt, or sling, which went over the opposite shoulder of the mother (A few wore print dresses—most of them wore nothing but a loincloth).”
Mothers carried their children in cloth slings over one shoulder, resting the child on their hip or side; most wore only loincloths, though a few had print dresses.
Describes traditional child-carrying practices and minimal clothing of indigenous women.
“I doubt whether, excepting, of course, Niagara, there is a waterfall in North America which outranks this if both volume and beauty are considered.”
The author believes this waterfall rivals any in North America except Niagara in terms of volume and beauty.
Expresses awe at the grandeur of the Falls of Utiarity.
