M. FRANCOIS F'ERON. 27 



formance of the duty, and he did it all. Engrossed 

 in the great designs in which he was embarked, he 

 regarded not the privations to which he was sub- 

 jected. Shortly after their departure from Timor, 

 the captain having refused the spirits which were 

 necessary for the preservation of the Mollusca that 

 were collected, he appropriated the whole of his 

 personal allowance to this purpose ; and, what was 

 still more remarkable, his enthusiasm spread to 

 many of his companions, who followed his example, 

 and made the same sacrifice. 



It was, especially, in the midst of dangers that 

 Peron exhibited the energy of his character, his 

 powers being redoubled when he encountered difficul- 

 ties. During storms he used to work as a common 

 sailor, and all the while would be observing as 

 composedly as if he were ashore. No event diverted 

 his attention from whatever promised a useful re- 

 sult, and he was always quick in improving circum- 

 stances. Having gone ashore on King's Island with 

 M. Lesueur, and several other of his companions, a 

 sudden gale drove the ship to sea, and they saw 

 nothing of her for fifteen days. Peron did not for 

 an instant lose his equanimity ; he patiently prose- 

 cuted his researches without foreboding the evils 

 which might betide. During his stay on this island, 

 whose most magnificent vegetation presents nothing 

 for the nourishment of man, he, without shelter, 

 and in despite of the violence of the tempests, 

 collected more than 180 species of Mollusca and 

 Zoophites ; he, moreover, studied the nistory of 



