134 THE VOYAGE. [Ch. VL 



The following extracts may serve to give an idea of the im- 

 pressions now crowding on him, as well as of the vigorous 

 delight with which he plunged into scientific work. 



May 18, 1832, to Henslow :- 



" Here [Rio], I first saw a tropical forest in all its sublime 

 grandeur — nothing but the reality can give any idea how 

 wonderful, how magnificent the scene is. If I was to specify 

 any one thing I should give the pre-eminence to the host of 

 parasitical plants. Your engraving is exactly true, but under- 

 rates rather than exaggerates the luxuriance. I never ex- 

 perienced such intense delight. I formerly admired Hum- 

 boldt, I now almost adore him ; he alone gives any notion of 

 the feelings which are raised in the mind on first entering the 

 Tropics. I am now collecting fresh- water and land animals ; 

 if what was told me in London is true, viz., that there are no 

 small insects in the collections from the Tropics, I tell En- 

 tomologists to look out and have their pens ready for des- 

 cribing. I have taken as minute (if not more so) as in 

 England, Hydropori, Hygroti, Hydrobii, Pselaphi, Staphylini, 

 Curculio, &c. &c. It is exceedingly interesting observing the 

 difference of genera and species from those which I know ; it is 

 however much less than I had expected. I am at present red-hot 

 with spiders ; they are very interesting, and if I am not mis- 

 taken I have already taken some new genora. I shall have a 

 large box to send very soon to Cambridge, and with that I will 

 mention some more natural history particulars." 



" One great source of perplexity to me is an utter ignorance 

 whether I note the right facts, and whether they are of suffi- 

 cient importance to'interest others. In the one thing collecting 

 I cannot go wrong." 



" Geology carries the day : it is like the pleasure of gambling. 

 Speculating, on first arriving, what the rocks may be, I often 

 mentally cry out 3 to 1 tertiary against primitive ; but the 

 latter have hitherto won all the bets. So much for the grand 

 end of my voyage : in other respects things are equally flourish- 

 ing. My life, when at sea, is so quiet, that to a person who 

 can employ himself, nothing can be pleasanter ; the beauty 

 of the sky and brilliancy of the ocean together make a picture. 

 But when on shore, and wandering in the sublime forests, 

 surrounded by views more gorgeous than even Claude ever 

 imagined, I enjoy a delight which none but those who have 

 experienced it can understand. At our ancient snug break- 

 fasts, at Cambridge, I little thought that the wide Atlantic 

 would ever separate us; but it is a rare privilege that with 



