Spix & Martius, Brazil 1817- 1820

Lithograph (Tab.A) from Spix & Agassiz, Piscium Brasiliensium (Pisces Brasiliensis), 1829

areas: Brazil; duration: 2 yrs., 11 mos.

collections to Munich: 85 species mammals, 350 birds, 130 reptiles& amphibians, 116 fishes, 1800 Coleoptera, 120 Orthoptera, 30 Neuroptera, 120 Hymenoptera, 120 Lepidoptera, 250 Hemiptera, 100 Diptera, 80 Arachnida, several Crustacea.

Travelled to Brazil 1817 with Austrian Commission, which joined the train of the Archduchess Leopoldina of Austria to Brazil to wed Dom Pedro de Alcantara, future Emperor of Brazil. Mikan, his wife, Ender, Spix & Martius left from Trieste 10 Apr 1817. Arrived Rio de Janeiro. Collected in city of Rio de Janeiro (Laranjeiras, Corcovado, Aqueduto, Fonte da Carioca, Tijuca, Botafogo, Jardim Botanico). Spent some days at Fazenda Mandioca and a fazenda near Rio Paraiba. Returned Rio. Mounted expedition.

Itaguaí (13 Dec 1817) thorugh São Paulo state to São Paulo 31 Dec 1817. Left 9 January 1818 to Sorocaba, Itu. Entered Minas Gerais through Camanducaia, cross Rio Sapucaí to São Gonçalo to Ouro Prêto. 1 May 1818 left for Diamantina, Minas Novas, Montes Claros. Left 12 August 1818 heading N-NE to Rio Carinhanha, as far as the Serra Geral, returned Cocos to Carinhanha. Rio das Contas 17 October 1818, east to Rio Paraguaçu to Salvador 10 November 1818. Left 18 February 1819 via Coit‚, Jacobina, to Piaui at Oeiras 3 May 1819. Left 11th, arrived 15th to São Gonçalo do Amarante, where Martuis became seriously ill. Spix also contracted possible schistosomiasis, of which he eventually died. Went to Maranhão to Caixas, remained until 3 June 1819 to recuperate. Sailed Rio Itapicuru to São Luis. Left 20 July for Belém, arrived 25 July 1819; collected several places. Left Belém 21 August for Amazon trip. Up Tocantins to Breves, 9 Sep in Gurupá, 10 September Porto de Moz on Rio Xingu. 19-30 September in Santarém, arrived Barra do Rio Negro 22 October to 2 November 1819. Reached Tefé‚ 26 November, then split up. Spix left Ega 7 December 1819, up Solimões arrived Tabatinga. Returned to Manaus 3 February 1820. Up Rio Negro to Moura, Barcelos, returned Manaus 26 February 1820. Martius left Ega 12 December, ascended Rio Japurá, returned Manaus 11 March 1820. Reunited. Departed for Belém, arrived 16 April 1820. Left 13 June 1820 for Europe.

Last modified: April 11, 1997
Scott A. Schaefer schaefer@amnh.org