THE VOYAGE. 6j 



and took much pains in describing carefully and 

 vividly all that I had seen ; and this was good prac- 

 tice. My Journal served also, in part, as letters to 

 my home, and portions were sent to England when- 

 ever there was an opportunity. 



The above various special studies were, however, 

 of no importance compared with the habit of energetic 

 industry and of concentrated attention to whatever I 

 was engaged in, which I then acquired. Everything 

 about which I thought or read was made to bear 

 directly on what I had seen or was likely to see ; and 

 this habit of mind was continued during the five years 

 of the voyage. I feel sure that it was this training 

 which has enabled me to do whatever I have done in- 

 science. 



Looking backwards, I can now perceive how my 

 love for science gradually preponderated over every 

 other taste. During the first two years my old 

 passion for shooting survived in nearly full force, and 

 I shot myself all the birds and animals for my collec- 

 tion ; but gradually I gave up my gun more and more, 

 and finally altogether, to my servant, as shooting 

 interfered with my work, more especially with making 

 out the geological structure of a country. I discovered, 

 though unconsciously and insensibly, that the pleasure 

 of observing and reasoning was a much higher one 

 than that of skill and sport. That my mind became 

 developed through my pursuits during the voyage is 

 rendered probable by a remark made by my father, 

 who was the most acute observer whom I ever saw, 

 of a sceptical disposition, and far from being a believe 



