so INTRODUCTION. 



to devote themselves exclusively to their profes- 

 sion ; they are nov/ise inferior in courage, perse- 

 verance, and skill, even to the hardy Britons, and 

 in docility and attachment to their officers they far 

 surpass them. I speak from experience. Highly 

 as I admire the courage and the skill of the 

 English seamen, with which I have become ac- 

 quainted during six years' service, I would still, 

 for a dangerous enterprize, choose only Russian 

 sailors. 



No objection can well be made against the utility 

 of a voyage of discovery to the South Sea, as far 

 as the sciences connected with natural history are 

 concerned. Every voyage to distant countries 

 offer's a rich harvest of new facts. If this assertion 

 required proof, we need only quote the names of 

 the most celebrated modern travellers, each of 

 whom has contributed to enrich science. Who is un- 

 acquainted with the colossal labours of a Humboldt? 

 But I cannot refrain from mentioning another in^ 

 stance. The unfortunate expedition of Captain 

 Tuckey to explore the river Congo, lasted but a 

 few months, and yet it gave occasion to one of the 

 most valuable works on natural history that have 

 appeared in our times. With respect to the geo- 

 graphical part of a voyage of discovery, many per- 

 sons may be of opinion, that but a poor harvest 

 can be expected. This is partly true j important 

 discoveries cannot now be made ; here and there 

 an island, or group of islands, which is unexpect- 



