312 RETROSPECT. 



as the traveller stays but a short time in each place, 

 his descriptions must generally consist of mere 

 sketches instead of detailed observations. Hence 

 arises, as I have found to my cost, a constant ten- 

 dency to fill up the wide gaps of knowledge by in- 

 accurate and sui)erficial hypotheses. 



But I have too deeply enjoyed the voyage not 

 to recommend any naturalist, although he must not 

 expect to be so fortunate in his companions as I 

 have been, to take all chances, and to start, on 

 travels by land if possible, if otherwise on a long 

 voyage. He may feel assured he will meet with 

 no difficulties or dangers, excepting in rare cases, 

 nearly so bad as he beforehand anticipates. In a 

 moral point of view, the eflcct ought to be, to 

 teach him good-humoured patience, freedom from 

 selfishness, the habit of acting for himself, and of 

 making the best of every occurrence. In short, he 

 ought to partake of the characteristic qualities of 

 most sailors. Travelling ought also to teach him 

 distrust ; but, at the same time, he will discover 

 how many truly kind-hearted people there are with 

 whom he never before had, or ever again will 

 have, any further communication, who yet are 

 ready to offer him the most disinterested assist- 

 ance. 



Note.— The snake, described at page 123, vol. i., with the cu- 

 rious habit of vibrating its tail, is a new species of Trigonoceph- 

 alus, which M. Bibron proposes to call T, crepitans. 



