Introduction to Cultural Exchanges between Brazil and France

A Tale of Enduring Myths: Buffon’s Theory of Animal Degeneration and the Regeneration of Domesticated Animals in Mid-19th Century Brazil

“…15 In Brazil the French naturalist nonetheless remained a prominent figure, whose lasting prestige may have been boosted by the strong French cultural influence in the country. And, rather than an outlier, the episode discussed here was one episode among many of the close Franco-Brazilian relationship and the strong French cultural influence over Brazil throughout the 19th century, which often included the exchange of technical-scientific knowledge (Hamburger et al 1996 ; Perrone-Moisés 2013 ; Félix and Juall 2016 ). In fact, as will be seen later, both sides of the argument were either championed by French people or by quoting French authors.…”

“…For instance, in O Fazendeiro do Brazil (1806, p. 52), José Mariano da Conceição Veloso (1742-1811) asserted Brazil did not have an unsuitable climate for horses or other domesticated animal species. 15 For examples of mid-19th Brazilian scholars debating Buffon's New World degeneracy theory, see Figueiredo et al (2017); Cerqueira e Silva (1849); also see note 13. relationship and the strong French cultural influence over Brazil throughout the 19th century, which often included the exchange of technical-scientific knowledge (Hamburger et al 1996;Perrone-Moisés 2013;Félix and Juall 2016). In fact, as will be seen later, both sides of the argument were either championed by French people or by quoting French authors.…”