Maps on lining papers. Recounts the stories of men and women drawn to investigate the unknown interior of the South American continent.

Maps on lining papers.

Introduction -- Pedro Cabral / stumbling upon Brazil -- Francisco de Orellana / First Down the Amazon -- Lope de Aguirre / Who killed even his dream -- Pedro de Teixeira / making the Amazon Portuguese -- Charles Marie de la Condamine / equatorial scientist -- Monsieur and Madame Godin / and their separation -- Baron von Humboldt / inspiration to the world -- Spruce and Wickham / collectors extraordinary -- Julio Arana / King of the Putumayo -- postscript.