DARWIN. 27 



his botanical class, either a long walk to the habitat of 

 some rare plant, or in a barge down the river to the fens, 

 or in coaches to some more distant place, as to Gamlin- 

 gay, to see the wild lily- of-the- valley, and to catch on 

 the heath the rare natter-jack. These excursions have 

 left a delightful impression on my mind. He was, on 

 such occasions, in as good spirits as a boy, and laughed 

 as heartily as a boy at the misadventures of those who 

 chased the splendid swallow-tail butterflies across the 

 broken and treacherous fens. He used to pause every 

 now and then and lecture on some plant or other object ; 

 and something he could tell us on every insect, shell, or 

 fossil collected, for he had attended to every branch of 

 natural history. After our day's work we used to dine 

 at some inn or house, and most jovial we then were. I 

 believe all who joined these excursions will agree with 

 me that they have left an enduring impression of delight 

 on our minds. 



"As time passed on at Cambridge I became very 

 intimate with Professor Henslow, and his kindness was 

 unbounded ; he continually asked me to his house, and 

 allowed me to accompany him in his walks. He talked 

 on all subjects, including his deep sense of religion, and 

 was entirely open. I owe more than I can express to 

 this excellent man. His kindness was steady. When 

 Captain Fitzroy offered to give up part of his own cabin 

 to any naturalist who would join the expedition in H.M.S. 

 Beagle^ Professor Henslow recommended me as one 

 who knew very little, but who, he thought, would work. 

 I was strongly attached to natural history, and this 

 attachment I owed in large part to him. During the 



