1837.] ZOOLOGY OF THE 'BEAGLE.' 28 1 



C. Darwin to L. Jenyns* 



36 Great Marlborough Street, 



April loth, 1837. 



DEAR JENYNS, 



During the last week several of the zoologists of this 

 place have been urging me to consider the possibility of publish- 

 ing the ' Zoology of the Beagles Voyage ' on some uniform plan. 

 Mr. Macleayf has taken a great deal of interest in the 

 subject, and maintains that such a publication is very de- 

 sirable, because it keeps together a series of observations 

 made respecting animals inhabiting the same part of the 

 world, and allows any future traveller taking them with him. 

 How far this facility of reference is of any consequence I am 

 very doubtful ; but if such is the case, it would be more satis- 

 factory to myself to see the gleanings of my hands, after 

 having passed through the brains of other naturalists, collected 

 together in one work. But such considerations ought not to 

 have much weight. The whole scheme is at present merely 

 floating in the air ; but I was determined to let you know, as I 

 should much like to know what you think about it, and whether 

 you would object to supply descriptions of the fish to such a 

 work instead of to ' Transactions.' I apprehend the whole will 

 be impracticable, without Government will aid in engraving 

 the plates, and this I fear is a mere chance, only I think 

 I can put in a strong claim, and get myself well backed by 

 the naturalists of this place, who nearly all take a good deal 



* Now Rev. L. Blomefield. lection of insects, made Entomology 



t William Sharp Macleay was his chief study, and gained great 



the son of Alexander Macleay, for- notoriety by his now forgotten 



merly Colonial Secretary of New Quinary System, set forth in the 



South Wales, and for many years Second Part of his * Horas Entomo- 



Secretary of the Linnean Society. logicse,' published in 1821. [I am 



The son, who was a most zealous indebted to Rev. L. Blomefield for 



Naturalist, and had inherited from the foregoing note.] 

 his father a very large general col- 



