MEMOIR OF CHAMISSO. 485 
consisted of many individuals. An antique garb, once the 
state dress of a South Sea Chief, much worn, mended and 
stained, with a black cap of cloth or velvet, a large green 
box suspended by leathern straps over his back, and a short 
pipe in his mouth, together with a rude tobacco pouch: 
such was the attire in which he sallied forth. And it may be 
supposed that when evening came and our Botanist was 
weary, travel-soiled, he did not make a very splendid appear- 
ance while bearing a pocket handkerchief crammed with plants, 
he met, on returning to Berlin, the beau monde of that capital 
all in their Sunday attire and walking in the outskirts of the 
city. Many a good-humoured jest did he pass on those 
individuals of our party, who preferred a bye-way to the 
crowded streets on such occasions. 
About this time Chamisso frequently visited the estate of 
Count von Itzenplitz near the Oder ; here he composed his 
well-known romance, * Peter Schlemihl, or the Man without 
a Shadow,” and also devoted much time to botanical studies, 
assisted by the Count's gardener, Walter, and published the 
Annotations to Künth's Flora of Berlin. Aquatic plants, 
especially the genus Potamogeton, engrossed his attention, 
and he devoted much time to studying their structure. But 
a wider field was soon to open upon him, for in 1815, he 
engaged to accompany, as naturalist, the expedition fitted out — 
by Count Romanzoff and embarked at Copenhagen on board 
the ship * Rurick,” that he might circumnavigate the globe 
and obtain some knowledge of tropical and arctic vegetation. 
A three years’ voyage, however, convinced Chamisso that 
many difficulties and disappointments must ever attend such 
expeditions, and that the limited accommodation of a vessel, 
with the peculiar ideas of the captain, and the chance of 
accidents and many other obstacles, are apt to defeat a natu- 
ralist’s best intentions and endeavours. Chamisso’s energy 
and zeal enabled him to overcome many of these disadvan- 
tages and to amass a rich collection, particularly wherever 
he landed at seasons which were favourable for Botany. 
The coast at Plymouth, where he touched soon after sailing, 
VOL. II. 9 M 
