222 THE VOYAGE. ^TAT. 25. [1834. 



I have the head, neck, piece of skin, feathers, and legs of 

 one. The differences are chiefly in the colour of the feathers 

 and scales on legs, being feathered below the knees, nidifi- 

 cation, and geographical distribution. So much for what I 

 have lately done ; the prospect before me is full of sunshine, 

 fine weather, glorious scenery, the geology of the Andes, plains 

 abounding with organic remains (which perhaps I may have 

 the good luck to catch in the very act of moving), and lastly, 

 an ocean, its shores abounding with life, so that, if nothing 

 unforeseen happens, I will stick to the voyage, although for 

 what I can see this may last till we return a fine set of white- 

 headed old gentlemen. I have to thank you most cordially 

 for sending me the books. I am now reading the Oxford 

 ■ Report ; ' * the whole account of your proceedings is most 

 glorious ; you remaining in England cannot well imagine how 

 excessively interesting I find the reports. I am sure from 

 my own thrilling sensations when reading them, that they 

 cannot fail to have an excellent effect upon all those residing 

 in distant colonies, and who have little opportunity of seeing 

 the periodicals. My hammer has flown with redoubled force 

 on the devoted blocks ; as I thought over the eloquence of 

 the Cambridge President, I hit harder and harder blows. I 

 hope to give my arms strength for the Cordilleras. You will 

 send me through Capt. Beaufort a copy of the Cambridge 

 ' Report.* 



I have forgotten to mention that for some time past, and 

 for the future, I vvill put a pencil cross on the pill-boxes con- 

 taining insects, as these alone will require being kept particu- 

 larly dry; it may perhaps save you some trouble. When this 

 letter will go I do not know, as this little seat of discord has 

 lately been embroiled by a dreadful scene of murder, and at 

 present there are more prisoners than inhabitants. If a mer- 

 chant vessel is chartered to take them to Rio, I will send 

 some specimens (especially my few plants and seeds). Re- 



* The second meeting of the British Association was held at Oxford in 

 1832, the following year it was at Cambridge. 



