140 RE-ENTER THE BRITISH CHANNEL. 



in proof, that he has seen recent portions of it 

 rise to the surface of the sea ! The vesicular 

 floats or berries the plant bears, cannot be re- 

 garded as a proof of its pelagic origin ; since 

 manyfuci, as F. vesiculosus, F. gigantea, &c., are 

 equally provided to attain the surface of the sea, 

 although they are firmly rooted to rocks. But 

 if there is reason to believe that the gulf-weed 

 has been originally rent from some terrestrial 

 attachment, we must yet admit that it has the 

 power of maintaining a vigorous vitality while 

 it floats free on the ocean ; as very few exam- 

 ples, thus circumstanced, exhibit traces of de- 

 cay, though all bear tokens of having been long 

 the sport of the currents. 



On the 1 1th of November we saw Flores, one 

 of the Western Isles ; on the 20th, entered the 

 green water that denotes the commencement of 

 soundings at the mouth of the British Channel, 

 and got sight of the Lizard ; but it was not 

 until we perceived the white cliffs of Dover, 

 which to the wearied voyager, 



" Bring all the comforts of that home to mind, 

 He scorns in youth, but longs in age to find," 



that we felt the reality of being again restored 

 to our native land. 



On the morning of the 27th of November, 

 1836, we arrived at Gravesend ; and were truly 



