DARWIN. 47 



force, if such an expression may be used, displayed on 

 these small, barren, and rocky islands ; and still more so 

 at its diverse yet analogous action in points so near each 

 other." 



The long voyage to Tahiti, 3,200 miles, begun on 

 October 20, 1835, ending on November i5th, was suc- 

 ceeded by a most enjoyable stay. Darwin was as de- 

 lighted as any traveller with the charms of the island 

 and the islanders. His testimony to the quality of 

 English products is worth noticing, if only as a piece of 

 natural patriotism. He acknowledges that Tahitian pine- 

 apples are of excellent flavour, perhaps better than those 

 cultivated in England, and this he believes to be the 

 highest compliment which can be paid to a fruit, or 

 indeed to anything else. He found reason to speak 

 well of the influence of the Christian missionaries on the 

 'natives, and of the conscientiousness of the latter, in 

 opposition to Kotzebue's narrative. 



On December igth New Zealand was sighted. Our 

 traveller's observations here are of much value, as relating 

 to a late period before civilised government was effectively 

 established. At Waimate he was delighted with the effects 

 produced by the religious teacher. " The lesson of the 

 missionary is the enchanter's wand," and he rejoiced as 

 an Englishman at what his countrymen had effected. 

 The remarkable absence of land mammals, the late 

 enormous increase of the imported Norway rat, the 

 dock spreading far and wide, its seeds having been sold 

 as tobacco seeds by a. rascally Englishman, the huge 

 Kauri pines, were all full of import to the inquiring 

 mind ; but New Zealand proved on the whole less 



