Xli SUMMARY OF THE VOYAGE. 



peculiar productions are confined to the narrowest limits, is a strong argument in favour 

 of a general distribution of vegetable life over separate spots on the globe. Hence it 

 will appear, that islands so situated furnish the best materials for a rigid comparison of 

 the effects of geographical position and the various meteorological phenomena on vege- 

 tation, and for acquiring a knowledge of the great laws according to which plants are 

 distributed over the face of the globe. These subjects are however foreign to the pre- 

 sent sketch, the author of which hopes, ere long, to have an opportunity of dwelling 

 upon them at large and in a different form. 



Those persons who have spent a series of years on the ocean, in pursuit of a favourite 

 science, know how little can be effected by the unaided efforts of one individual, and 

 where much is accomplished, how large is the debt of obligation incurred, not only to the 

 facilities afforded by shipmates, but to the accommodating disposition of those with 

 whom he comes in daily contact, and with whom he literally shares one cabin and one 

 table. The author may here be allowed to say, that no man can be more deeply sensible 

 than he is of the rare privilege he enjoyed, in having messmates who were ever ready 

 to sacrifice their own convenience for his accommodation. Most especially does he feel 

 it incumbent on him here to return his thanks to the commanding Officer of the expe- 

 dition (as is his first duty) for the opportunity afforded of accompanying him, for the 

 kindness always shown during this the most important and interesting scientific voyage 

 that has been accomplished since the days of Cook, and for the generous manner in 

 which that officer's private cabin and library were unreservedly placed at his disposal 

 during the whole time the expedition was afloat. Attached as Sir James Clark Ross has 

 ever been to the various branches of Natural History, he took a pleasure in promoting 

 the interests of the collections at all times, and himself gathered many of the plants 

 here described. 



There were few of the officers of either ship who did not contribute something to 

 the collection of plants ; but the botanist feels it peculiarly imperative on him here to 

 enumerate and return his especial thanks to Mr. Lyall, Lieut. Smith, and Mr. Davis. 

 Mr. Lyall indeed, as appointed to take charge of the botanical collections on board the 

 " Terror," formed a most important herbarium, from which great assistance has been 

 derived, amounting to no less than 1 500 species. 



