506 RETROSPECT. [chap, xxi 



improving to a young naturalist, than a journey in distant coun- 

 tries. 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 ge- 

 neralization. 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 hypo- 

 theses. 



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 dan- 

 gers, 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. 



Note. — The snake, described at page 96, with the curious habit of vibrat- 

 ing its tail, is a new species of Trigonocephalus, which M. Bibron proposes 

 to call T. crepitans. 



