iv PEEFACE. 



after the first two years, a different route from that of 

 my friend, an account of my separate travels and ex- 

 periences seems not an inappropriate offering to the 

 public. 



When I first arrived in England, being much depressed 

 in health and spirits after eleven years' residence Avithin 

 four degrees of the equator, the last three of which were 

 spent in the wild country 1400 miles from the sea-coast, 

 I saw little prospect of ever giving my narrative to the 

 world ; and indeed, after two years had elapsed, had 

 almost abandoned the intention of doing so. At that 

 date I became acquainted with Mr. Darwin, who, having 

 formed a flattering opinion of my ability for the task, 

 strongly urged me to write a book, and reminded 

 me of it months afterwards, when, after having made 

 a commencement, my half-formed resolution began to 

 give way. Under this encouragement the arduous task 

 is at length accomplished. It seems necessary to make 

 this statement, as it explains why so long a time has 

 intervened between my arrival in England and the 

 publication of my book. 



The collections that I made during the whole eleven 

 years were sent, at intervals of a few months, to London 

 for distribution, except a set of species reserved for my 

 own study, which remained with me, and always accom- 

 panied me in my longer excursions. With the exception 

 of a few living plants and specimens in illustration of 



