1809-1842] VOYAGE J 7 



pretty well convinced if they are not plants they are not Let 'er 5 

 zoophytes. The "gemmule " of a Halimeda contained several 

 articulations united, ready to burst their envelope, and become 

 attached to some basis. I believe in zoophytes universally 

 the gemmule produces a single polypus, which afterwards or 

 at the same time grows with its cell or single articulation. 



The Beagle left the Sts. of Magellan in the middle of 

 winter ; she found her road out by a wild unfrequented 

 channel ; well might Sir J. Narborough call the west coast 

 South Desolation, " because it is so desolate a land to behold." 

 We were driven into Chiloe by some very bad weather. An 

 Englishman gave me three specimens of that very fine Luca- 

 noidal insect which is described in the Camb. Phil. Trans.} 

 two males and one female. I find Chiloe is composed of lava 

 and recent deposits. The lavas are curious from abounding 

 in, or rather being in parts composed of pitchstone. If we 

 go to Chiloe in the summer, I shall reap an entomological 

 harvest. I suppose the Botany both there and in Chili is 

 well known. 



I forgot to state that in the four cargoes of specimens 

 there have been sent three square boxes, each containing four 

 glass bottles. I mention this in case they should be stowed 

 beneath geological specimens and thus escape your notice, 

 perhaps some spirit may be wanted in them. If a box 

 arrives from B. Ayres with a Megatherium head and other 

 unnumbered specimens, be kind enough to tell me, as I have 

 strong fears for its safety. We arrived here the day before 

 yesterday ; the views of the distant mountains are most 

 sublime and the climate delightful ; after our long cruise in 

 the damp gloomy climates of the south, to breathe a clear 

 dry air and feel honest warm sunshine, and eat good fresh 

 roast beef must be the summum bonum of human life. I do 

 not like the look of the rocks half so much as the beef, there 

 is too much of those rather insipid ingredients, mica, quartz 

 and feldspar. Our plans are at present undecided ; there is 

 a good deal of work to the south of Valparaiso and to the 

 north an indefinite quantity. I look forward to every part 

 with interest. I have sent you in this letter a sad dose of 

 egotism, but recollect I look up to you as my father in 



1 " Description of Ckiasognathus Grantii, a new Lucanideous Insect, 

 etc.," by J. F. Stephens (Tram. Camb. Phil. Soc, Vol. IV., p. 209, 1833). 



