INTRODUCTION. 7 



for water is as good a remedy for bad temper as land for sea- 

 sickness. 



On July 13 we had a great day of it coaling, and every man 

 lent a hand. To protect themselves from the dirt, many of them 

 appeared in the most extraordinary guise. The botanist looked 

 for all the world like an Italian fisherman, the doctor wore sea- 

 boots and a long operating- coat, while some had on hardly any- 

 thing at all, except boots and a coat of oilskin. All, however, were 

 in high good humour, and the coaling went off successfully, with 

 the sing-song formalities peculiar to it, according to the custom of 

 all good sea-folk. 



