8 3 6-] RETROSPECT. 369 



arises, as I have found to my cost, a constant tendency to fill up 

 the wide gaps of knowledge, by inaccurate and superficial hypo- 

 theses. 



But I have too deeply enjoyed the voyage, not to recommend any 

 naturalist, although he must not expect to be so fortunate in his com- 

 panions as I have been, to take all chances, and to start, on travels by land 

 if possible, if otherwise on a long voyage. He may feel assured he will 

 meet with no difficulties or dangers, excepting in rare cases, nearly so 

 bad as he beforehand anticipates. In a moral point of view, the effect 

 ought to be, to teach him good-humoured patience, freedom from selfish- 

 ness, the habit of acting for himself, and of making the best of every 

 occurrence. In short, he ought to partake of the characteristic qualities 

 of most sailors. Travelling ought also to teach him distrust ; but at 

 the same time he will discover, how many truly kind-hearted people 

 there are, with whom he never before had, or ever again will have any 

 further communication, who yet are ready to offer him the most dis- 

 interested assistance. 



NOTE. The snake, described at page 70, with the curious habit of vibrat- 

 ing its tail, is a new species of Trigonocephalus, which M. Bibron proposes 

 to call T. crepitans. 



THE ISO. 



