238 THE VOYAGE. /ETAT. 23. 1832. 



given me an interest in Geology which I would not give up for 

 any consideration. I do not think I ever spent a more 

 delightful three weeks than pounding the North-west Moun- 

 tains. I look forward to the geology about Monte Video as I 

 hear there are slates there, so I presume in that district I shall 

 find the junctions of the Pampas, and the enormous granite 

 formation of Brazils. At Bahia the pegmatite and gneiss 

 in beds had the same direction, as observed by Humboldt, 

 prevailing over Columbia, distant 1 300 miles is it not won- 

 derful ? Monte Video will be for a long time my direction. 

 I hope you will write again to me, there is nobody from whom 

 I like receiving advice so much as from you. . . . Excuse 

 this almost unintelligible letter, and believe me, my dear 

 Henslow, with the warmest feelings of respect and friendship, 



Yours affectionately, 



CHAS. DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to J. M. Herbert. 



Botofogo Bay, Rio de Janeiro, 



June 1832. 



MY DEAR OLD HERBERT, 



Your letter arrived here when I had given up all 

 hopes of receiving another, it gave me, therefore, an additional 

 degree of pleasure. At such an interval of time and space 

 one does learn to feel truly obliged to those who do not forget 

 one. The memory when recalling scenes past by, affords to 

 us exiles one of the greatest pleasures. Often and often whilst 

 wandering amongst these hills do I think of Barmouth, and, I 

 may add, as often wish for such a companion. What a con- 

 trast does a walk in these two places afford ; here abrupt and 

 stony peaks are to the very summit enclosed by luxuriant 

 woods ; the whole surface of the country, excepting where 

 cleared by man, is one impenetrable forest. How different 

 from Wales, with its sloping hills covered with turf, and its 





