There are several other sources of enjoyment in a long voyage which are of a more reasonable nature. The map of the world ceases to be a blank; it becomes a picture full of the most varied and animated figures. Each part assumes its proper dimensions: continents are not looked at in the light of islands, or islands considered as mere specks, which are, in truth, larger than many kingdoms of Europe. Africa, or North and South America, are well-sounding names, and easily pronounced; but it is not until having sailed for weeks along small portions of their shores, that one is thoroughly convinced what vast spaces on our immense world these names imply.

From seeing the present state, it is impossible not to look forward with high expectations to the future progress of nearly an entire hemisphere. The march of improvement, consequent on the introduction of Christianity throughout the South Sea, probably stands by itself in the records of history. It is the more striking when we remember that only sixty years since, Cook, whose excellent judgment none will dispute, could foresee no prospect of a change. Yet these changes have now been effected by the philanthropic spirit of the British nation.

In the same quarter of the globe Australia is rising, or indeed may be said to have risen, into a grand centre of civilisation, which, at some not very remote period, will rule as empress over the southern hemisphere. It is impossible for an Englishman to behold these distant colonies without a high pride and satisfaction. To hoist the British flag seems to draw with it as a certain consequence, wealth, prosperity, and civilisation.

In conclusion it appears to me that nothing can be more improving to a young naturalist than a journey in distant countries. It both sharpens and partly allays that want and craving, which, as Sir J. Herschel remarks, a man experiences although every corporeal sense be fully satisfied. The excitement from the novelty of objects, and the chance of success, stimulate him to increased activity. Moreover, as a number of isolated facts soon become uninteresting, the habit of comparison leads to generalisation. On the other hand, as the traveller stays but a short time in each place, his descriptions must generally consist of mere sketches, instead of detailed observations. Hence arises, as I have found to my cost, a constant tendency to fill up the wide gaps of knowledge by inaccurate and superficial hypotheses.

But I have too deeply enjoyed the voyage, not to recommend any naturalist, although he must not expect to be so fortunate in his companions as I have been, to take all chances, and to start, on travels by land if possible, if otherwise, on a long voyage. He may feel assured he will meet with no difficulties or dangers, excepting in rare cases, nearly so bad as he beforehand anticipates. In a moral point of view the effect ought to be to teach him good-humoured patience, freedom from selfishness, the habit of acting for himself, and of making the best of every occurrence. In short, he ought to partake of the characteristic qualities of most sailors. Travelling ought also to teach him distrust; but at the same time he will discover how many truly kind-hearted people there are, with whom he never before had, or ever again will have any further communication, who yet are ready to offer him the most disinterested assistance.

List of Illustrations

[H.M.S. Beagle in Straits of Magellan. Mt. Sarmiento in the distance.]
[H.M.S. Beagle under full sail, view from astern.]
[H.M.S. Beagle: Middle section fore and aft, upper deck, 1832.]
[Fernando Noronha.]
[Incrustation of shelly sand.]
[Diodon Maculatus (Distended and Contracted).]
[Pelagic Confervæ.]
[Catamaran (Bahia).]
[Botofogo Bay, Rio Janeiro.]
[Vampire Bat (Desmodus D’Orbigny).]
[Virgin Forest.]
[Cabbage Palm.]
[Mandioca or Cassava.]
[Rio Janeiro.]
[Darwin’s Papilio Feronia, 1833, now called Ageronia feronia, 1889.]
[Hydrochærus capybara or Water-hog.]
[Recado or Surcingle of Gaucho.]
[Halt at a Pulperia on the Pampas.]
[El Carmen, or Patagones, Rio Negro.]
[Brazilian whips.]
[Brazilian hobbles and spurs.]
[Bringing in a prisoner.]
[Irregular troops.]
[Skinning uji or water serpents.]
[Rhea Darwinii (Avestruz Petise).]
[Landing at Buenos Ayres.]
[Maté pots and bambillio.]
[Giant thistle of pampas.]
[Cynara Cardunculus or Cardoon.]
[Evening camp, Buenos Ayres.]
[Rozario.]
[Parana River.]
[Toxodon Platensis. (Found at Saladillo.)]
[Fossil tooth of horse. (From Bahia Blanca.)]
[Mylodon.]
[Head of Scissor-beak.]
[Rhynchops Nigra, or Scissor-beak.]
[Buenos Ayres bullock-waggons.]
[Fuegians and wigwams.]
[Opuntia Darwinii.]
[Raised beaches, Patagonia.]
[Ladies’ combs, banda oriental.]
[Condor (Sarcorhamphus gryphus).]
[Basaltic Glen, Santa Cruz.]
[Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands.]
[York Minster (Bearing S. 66° east.)]
[Cape Horn.]
[Cape Horn (another view).]
[Bad weather, Magellan Straits.]
[Fuegian basket and bone weapons.]
[False Horn, Cape Horn.]
[Wollaston Island, Tierra del Fuego.]
[Patagonians from Cape Gregory.]
[Port Famine, Magellan.]
[Patagonian Bolas.]
[Patagonian Spurs and Pipe.]
[Cyttaria Darwinii.]
[Eyre Sound.]
[Glacier in Gulf of Penas.]
[Flora of Magellan.]
[Macrocystis Pyrifera, or Magellan Kelp.]
[Trochilus Forficatus.]
[Hacienda, condor, cactus, etc.]
[Chilian miner.]
[Cactus (Cereus Peruviana).]
[Cordilleras from Santiago de Chile.]
[Chilian spurs, stirrup, etc.]
[Old Church, Castro, Chiloe.]
[Inside Chonos Archipelago.]
[Gunnera Scabra, Chiloe.]
[Antuco Volcano, near Talcahuano.]
[Panoramic view of coast, Chiloe.]
[Inside Island of Chiloe. San Carlos.]
[Hide Bridge, Santiago de Chile.]
[Chilenos.]
[South American bit.]
[Bridge of the Incas, Uspallata Pass.]
[Lima and San Lorenzo.]
[Coquimbo, Chile.]
[Huacas, Peruvian pottery.]
[Testudo Abingdonii, Galapagos Islands.]
[Galapagos Archipelago.]
[Finches from Galapagos Archipelago.]
[Amblyrhynchus Cristatus.]
[Opuntia Galapageia.]
[Ava or Kava (Macropiper methysticum), Tahiti.]
[Eimeo and Barrier-Reef.]
[Fatahua Fall, Tahiti.]
[Tahitian.]
[Hippah, New Zealand.]
[Sydney, 1835.]
[Hobart Town and Mount Wellington.]
[Australian group of weapons and throwing sticks.]
[Inside an atoll, Keeling Island.]
[Whitsunday Island.]
[Barrier-reef, Bolabola.]
[Sections of barrier-reefs.]
[Section of coral-reef.]
[Section of coral-reef.]
[Bolabola Island.]
[Corals.]
[Birgos Latro, Keeling Island.]
[St. Louis, Mauritius.]
[St. Helena.]
[Cellular formation of volcanic bomb.]
[Cicada Homoptera.]
[Homeward bound.]
[Ascension. Terns and noddies.]

Index