104 ZOOLOGY 



aminations without difficulty, he afterwards expressed 

 the opinion that much of his time was wasted, so far as 

 academical studies went. Nevertheless, his scientific 

 interests were further stimulated by Professor John 

 Stevens Henslow, a botanist and all-round naturalist, 

 who rambled with him into the country around Cam- 

 bridge, and became his intimate friend. The dons used 

 to speak of Darwin as "the man who walks with Hens- 

 low." 



The voyage 5- In 1831, on returning from a geological tour in 

 Wales, Darwin found a letter from Henslow stating that 

 the Beagle, a vessel of the Royal Navy, was about to 

 circumnavigate the globe, for the purpose of surveying 

 and charting various coasts. Captain FitzRoy wished 

 to have a naturalist on board, and was willing to give 

 up part of his own quarters to a competent young man 

 who would serve without pay. Could Henslow recom- 

 mend some one ? He could and did recommend Dar- 

 win, whereupon arose a great controversy in the latter's 

 family. Charles was "instantly .eager to accept the 

 offer," but his father strongly objected, and regarded 

 the plan as so preposterous that he added : "If you can 

 find any man of common sense who advises you to go, 

 I will give my consent." This man was found in Uncle 

 Wedgwood of Maer, and the arrangements were at 

 length made. There still exists a memorandum by 

 Darwin, detailing the objections raised, as follows : 



'i. Disreputable to my character as a clergyman 

 hereafter. 



"2. A wild scheme. 



'3. That they must have offered to many others 

 before me the place of naturalist. 



"4. And from its not being accepted there must be 

 some serious objection to the vessel or expedition. 



