COSMOS, VOL. II - World eBook Library

SUMMABY. LXI]
VOL. II.
GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE CONTENTS.
A. Incitements to the Study of Nature. The image reflected by the .... ! -
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external world on the imagination pp. 370-372
I. Poetic delineation of nature. The feeling entertained for nature
according to difference of times and races . pp. 372-439
II. Landscape Painting. Graphical representation of the physiognomy
of vegetation pp. 440-457
III. Cultivation of exotic plants. Contrasted apposition of vegetable
forms pp. 458-465
B. History ff the physical contemplation of the universe. Principal
I.
momenta .... of the gradual development and extension of the idea of
the Cosmos as one natural whole pp. 466-479
The Mediterranean the starting-point of the attempts at an advance
towards the north-east, (by the Argonauts), towards the south (to
Ophir), towards the west (by the Phoenicians and Colaeus of Samos).
Simultaneous reference to the earliest civilisation of the nations who
dwelt around the basin of the Mediterranean . . . pp. 480-517
II. Campaigns of
the Macedonians under Alexander the Great.
Fusion of the East and West. Hellenism furthers the blending of
nations from the Nile to the Euphrates, the Jaxartes and the Indus.
Sudden extension of the contemplation of the Universe by direct
observation, as well as by intercourse with anciently civilized industrial
nations pp. 517-536
III. Increased contemplation ofthe universe under the Ptolemies. Museum
at Serapeum. Encyclopaedic learning. Generalisation of natural
views regarding the earth and the regions of space. Increased maritime
trade towards the south pp. 536-546
IV. Universal dominion of the Romans. Influence of a political
union on Cosmical views. Advance of geography by means of inland
trade. The development of Christianity generates and fosters the feeling
of the .... unity of the human race pp. 547-568
V. Irruption of the Arabian Races. Intellectual branch of the Semitic races. Taste for
aptitude
the study of nature
of this
and its
forces. Medicine and chemistry. Extension of physical geography,
astronomy, and the mathematic sciences generally . . pp. 569-600
VI. Period of Oceanic Discoveries. Opening
of the western hemi-
sphere. America and the Pacific. The Scandinavians. Columbus,
Cabot, and Gama; Cabrillo, Mendafia, and Quiros. The greatest
abundance of materials now presented i tself to the western nations of
Europe for the establishment of physical geography . pp. 601-680
VII. Period of the great Discoveries in the Regions of Space. The