24 MEMOIR OF 



remained in the colony, whilst Peron considered 

 himself bound by his engagement. Our limits do 

 not permit us to follow him through all the de- 

 tails of his adventures, but we shall stop a moment 

 at those spots which formed the principal scenes of 

 his labours. 



Sailing from the Isle of France, they shaped their 

 course to the Western Shores of New Holland, and 

 anchored in a bay which, from the vessel which 

 first rode in it, they named Geography Bay. 

 They then skirted along the Western Coast, sur- 

 veying many harbours, and anchored for refresh- 

 ment at the Island of Timor. 



It is chiefly to Peron's stay in this spot that we 

 are indebted for his labours on the Mollusca and 

 Zoophites. The sea is shallow, and the excessive 

 heat seems to multiply prodigiously these singular 

 animals, and to adorn them with the brightest co- 

 louring. Peron spent nearly the whole day on the 

 shore, plunging into the water in the midst of the 

 surf, always at the danger of his health, and some- 

 times of his life. With the shades of evening he 

 returned from his work, loaded with numerous 

 specimens, which he reviewed, and of which his 

 friend sketched the most remarkable objects. 

 Neither the misfortunes which had befallen the 

 other Naturalists, nor the dangers with which he 

 himself was threatened, had any power to relax 

 Peron's zeal. Nor did his industry, in collecting the 

 innumerable productions of nature, hinder him from 

 finding time for observations of a different kind. 



