The Amazon River is the largest, most voluminous river on earth, having a greater total flow than the next six largest rivers combined.

Amazon River

The Amazon River is the largest, most voluminous river on earth, having a greater total flow than the…

Also known as the snake-bird, the anhinga inhabits the freshwater areas of the South Atlantic States; also in South America as far south as Brazil.

Anhinga

Also known as the snake-bird, the anhinga inhabits the freshwater areas of the South Atlantic States;…

The leaves of anthurium splendidum are heart shaped. The stem is short and thick. This plant grows in South America.

Anthurium Splendidum Flowers

The leaves of anthurium splendidum are heart shaped. The stem is short and thick. This plant grows in…

A group of South American natives.

Aruaca'nians

A group of South American natives.

Barnadesia is a deciduous shrub; it sheds its leaves annually. Barnadesia rosea has solitary, rose colored flowers. This shrub is native to South America.

Barnadesia Rosea

Barnadesia is a deciduous shrub; it sheds its leaves annually. Barnadesia rosea has solitary, rose colored…

Taking its name from the Azara people of South America, the batara is the largest of the shrikes.

Batara

Taking its name from the Azara people of South America, the batara is the largest of the shrikes.

Bolivian fabric pattern sketched in the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

Bolivian Cloth

Bolivian fabric pattern sketched in the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

The bracts of bougainvillea spectabilis are a dull, brick red shaded with scarlet. Bougainvillea is native to South America.

Flowering Branch of Bougainvillea Spectabillis

The bracts of bougainvillea spectabilis are a dull, brick red shaded with scarlet. Bougainvillea is…

Caladium maculatum leaves are heart shaped at the base. The leaves are spotted with clear white. This plant is found in South America.

Caladium Maculatum

Caladium maculatum leaves are heart shaped at the base. The leaves are spotted with clear white. This…

"Chinchilla is a genus of South American herbivorous rodents very closely allied to the rabbit, which they resemble in the general shape of the body, in the limbs being longer behind than before, and by the nature of the fur, which is more woolly than silky."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Chinchilla

"Chinchilla is a genus of South American herbivorous rodents very closely allied to the rabbit, which…

On November 8, 1519, Cortez reached Tenochtitlan and was graciously received by Montezuma, the Aztec emperor.

Cortez and the Ambassadors of Montezuma

On November 8, 1519, Cortez reached Tenochtitlan and was graciously received by Montezuma, the Aztec…

The common name of fragaria chilensis is the chili strawberry. The fruit is rose colored on the outside and white on the inside. This variety of strawberry is found in South America.

Fruit of Fragaria Chilensis

The common name of fragaria chilensis is the chili strawberry. The fruit is rose colored on the outside…

Hummingbirds are New World birds found primarily in South America.

Hummingbird

Hummingbirds are New World birds found primarily in South America.

Hippeastrums are native to tropical South America. The flowers range in color from red to white. Some flowers are also blended with a variety of colors.

Hybrid Hippeastrums

Hippeastrums are native to tropical South America. The flowers range in color from red to white. Some…

A large lizard, the common iguana is common to the tropical regions of the Americas. It spends much of its time in trees.

Common iguana

A large lizard, the common iguana is common to the tropical regions of the Americas. It spends much…

"The Jacana is a wading bird; a genus of grallatores. They are very light birds; and the wide surface over which their toes extend enables them the more easily to procure their food, consisting of worms, small fishes, and insects, by walking on the leaves of aquatic plants which float on the water. Various species of the jacana are spread over the tropical regions."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Jacana

"The Jacana is a wading bird; a genus of grallatores. They are very light birds; and the wide surface…

"Kinkajou is a genus of carnivorous mammals. They have prehensile tails, with which they hang on to trees. They have some affinity to the lemurs, of which they are the partial representatives in the New World, where they occur in South America and in Mexico. The best known species is about a foot long, with a tail of 18 inches. It feeds upon fruit, insects, and birds."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Kinkajou

"Kinkajou is a genus of carnivorous mammals. They have prehensile tails, with which they hang on to…

Macaws are small to large, often colorful New World parrots. Macaws are native to Mexico, Central America, South America, and formerly the Caribbean. Most species are associated with forest, especially rainforest, but others prefer woodland or savanna-like habitats.

Macaw on Branch

Macaws are small to large, often colorful New World parrots. Macaws are native to Mexico, Central America,…

(1535-1609) Governor of Chile and Viceroy of Peru.

Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza

(1535-1609) Governor of Chile and Viceroy of Peru.

Natives on rafts in Peru, at the time of conquest.

Natives

Natives on rafts in Peru, at the time of conquest.

Spaniards embarking upon Peru.

Peru Embarking

Spaniards embarking upon Peru.

"Peru is a maritime republic of South America, bounded on the N. by Ecuador, on the W. by the Pacific, on the S. and S. E. by Bolivia and Chile, and on the E. by Brazil."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Peruvian Indian

"Peru is a maritime republic of South America, bounded on the N. by Ecuador, on the W. by the Pacific,…

Native to South America, the males of this species are known for their pair of prominent tail feathers.

Fork-Tailed Psalurus

Native to South America, the males of this species are known for their pair of prominent tail feathers.

The puma, also known as the cougar, panther, or mountain lion <i> (Felis concolor) </i> , is a large American cat, formerly to be met anywhere from the St. Lawrence River and southern British Columbia to Patagonia, but now practically exterminated east of the Rocky Mountains. It is remarkable among the larger cats for its uniformity of coloration, whence it is popularly known as 'lion' throughout all the countries south of the United States. The fur is thick and close, and in adults is plain tawny above, except for a dark streak along the middle of the back, and a dark tip to the tail, while the under surface is of a paler tint. The presence in the young, however, of a ringed tail and of spots on the body shows that the puma's ancestors possessed the characteristically feline type of coloration. There is much variation in size: the largest authenticated measurement is eight feet two inches from the snout to the tip of the tail, the tail being three feet eight inches; but the usual length of the body, exclusive of the tail, appears to be under four feet.

The puma is able to live in low-lying plains and on mountain slopes, among dense forests and on the treeless pampas. Its natural prey is such animals as deer in North and in Central America, while of the pampas it feeds largely on huanacos; but everywhere it preys as hunger suggests or occasion requires on any smaller and more agile creature it is able to pick up. Like the leopard, it is especially destructive to sheep, a single puma when it gains access to a fold sometimes slaughtering 100 in a night, seemingly in a blind revel of killing. It rarely attacks man unprovoked, and has the reputation, especially in the Plains regions, of being absolutely cowardly. When hunted with dogs (the usual method), it tries first to flee, and when overtaken climbs a tree, where it remains, snarling at the pack of dogs until the hunter comes up and dispatches it. Nevertheless, when cornered it fights to the death, showing that its real disposition is that of timidity and caution rather than of poltroonery.

The two sexes live apart, but pair in winter and summer. Two or three young are born at once.

Puma

The puma, also known as the cougar, panther, or mountain lion (Felis concolor) , is a large American…

(1509-1579) Conquistador in Columbia and Spanish explorer.

Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada

(1509-1579) Conquistador in Columbia and Spanish explorer.

Chief Quoniambec was ruler of Brazil during the 16th century.

Chief Quoniambec

Chief Quoniambec was ruler of Brazil during the 16th century.

Found in Southern Pantagonia, the Pantagonian rhea's plumage is of a dark, mottled color.

Pantagonian Rhea

Found in Southern Pantagonia, the Pantagonian rhea's plumage is of a dark, mottled color.

An arrow-fronded fern with blackish, long leaves. They are common between Venezuela and Brazil.

Pteris Sagittifolia

An arrow-fronded fern with blackish, long leaves. They are common between Venezuela and Brazil.

"Sloth is the popular name for any individual of the Edentate group Tardigrada, from their slow and awkward movements on the ground, owing to the peculiar structure of the wrist and ankle joints. The feet are armed with long claws, and turned toward the body, so that the animal is compelled to rest on the side of the hind foot, while the disproportionate length of the fore-limbs causes it to rest also on the elbows. It shuffles forward, alternately stretching the fore legs and hooking the claws into the ground, or grasping some object to draw itself along. Sloths are natives of South America, nocturnal in habit, and are found in the forests of that region, passing their lives among the branches of trees, on the leaves and young shoots of which they feed."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Giant Sloth

"Sloth is the popular name for any individual of the Edentate group Tardigrada, from their slow and…

(1512-1577) Spanish conquistador and Governor of Chile.

Melchor Bravo de Saravia Sotomayor

(1512-1577) Spanish conquistador and Governor of Chile.

A porcupine found in Mexico and much of South America.

Synetheres Prehensilis

A porcupine found in Mexico and much of South America.

The red-throated tamatia, native to Guiana.

Red-Throated Tamatia

The red-throated tamatia, native to Guiana.

"Tinamou is the name given to a genus and family of birds occurring in South America, and allied in some respects to the ostrich and emu. They somewhat resemble a partridge, and vary in size from that of a pheasant down to that of a quail. The great tinamou is about 18 inches long, and inhabits the forests of Guiana."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Tinamou

"Tinamou is the name given to a genus and family of birds occurring in South America, and allied in…

"Tomato, or Love Apple, is a plant of the natural order Solanace&aelig;. It is one of a genus of several species, all natives of South America, chiefly on the Peruvian side. In the United States and other countries in which the summer is warm and prolonged, it has long been cultivated for the excellent qualities of the fruit as an article of diet. Though belonging to a natural order of plants usually regarded with suspicion on account of the powerfully poisonous properties of many of the species comprised in it, it is now recognized as one of the most important and valuable of vegetables grown for human food."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Tomato

"Tomato, or Love Apple, is a plant of the natural order Solanaceæ. It is one of a genus of several…

"Tomato, or Love Apple, is a plant of the natural order Solanace&aelig;. It is one of a genus of several species, all natives of South America, chiefly on the Peruvian side. In the United States and other countries in which the summer is warm and prolonged, it has long been cultivated for the excellent qualities of the fruit as an article of diet. Though belonging to a natural order of plants usually regarded with suspicion on account of the powerfully poisonous properties of many of the species comprised in it, it is now recognized as one of the most important and valuable of vegetables grown for human food."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Tomato

"Tomato, or Love Apple, is a plant of the natural order Solanaceæ. It is one of a genus of several…

"Tomato, or Love Apple, is a plant of the natural order Solanace&aelig;. It is one of a genus of several species, all natives of South America, chiefly on the Peruvian side. In the United States and other countries in which the summer is warm and prolonged, it has long been cultivated for the excellent qualities of the fruit as an article of diet. Though belonging to a natural order of plants usually regarded with suspicion on account of the powerfully poisonous properties of many of the species comprised in it, it is now recognized as one of the most important and valuable of vegetables grown for human food."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Tomato Plant

"Tomato, or Love Apple, is a plant of the natural order Solanaceæ. It is one of a genus of several…

Primarily nocturnal, the matamata tortoise of South America feeds on small reptiles and fish.

Matamata tortoise

Primarily nocturnal, the matamata tortoise of South America feeds on small reptiles and fish.

"Vicuna is a native of the most elevated localities of Bolivia and northern Chile. It is very wild, and has resisted all attempts to reduce it to a state of domestication. It is the smallest species of the genus, standing only about 30 inches at the shoulder. It is extremely active and sure-footed, and is seldom taken alive. In habit it somewhat resembles the chamois, as it lives in herds in the regions of perpetual snow. The soft, silky fur is in much demand for making delicate fabrics, and many thousands of these animals are slaughtered annually for the sake of the skins. "—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Vicuna

"Vicuna is a native of the most elevated localities of Bolivia and northern Chile. It is very wild,…