2 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



the high and rugged cliffs of the coast of Devonshire. We had 

 a fair wind, though there was rather more motion than was 

 entirely agreeable to a landsman on his first cruise ; and late in 

 the evening we arrived in Plymouth Sound, moving up the fol- 

 lowing day into Hamoaze, where we lay for about two days. This 

 time I occupied, not unprofitably, in making myself acquainted 

 with the pretty country in the neighbourhood, and also in 

 stowing my books and scientific apparatus as advantageously 

 as the limited space at my disposal permitted. Owing to the 

 comparatively small size of the vessel, and the large amount 

 of room occupied by her necessary stores and equipments, 

 there was but little accommodation for specimens, the greater 

 number of which I was in consequence obliged to pack away, 

 as I best could, in my cabin. This, my destined study, mu- 

 seum, and bedroom, for the next three years, though not of 

 large size (6 feet long and broad by 7 high), was wonderfully 

 comfortable, possessing the inestimable advantage of being on 

 deck, and thus providing me with an abundant supply of light 

 and fresh air — important items at any time, and particularly 

 so in connection with the special nature of my work. 



Shortly before noon on the 8th of September, a fine day, 

 but with a rather low barometer, we left the harbour on our 

 outward bound voyage. Towards evening, however, it began 

 to blow, and the wind freshening steadily during the night, by 

 the morning of the 9th we encountered a violent south-westerly 

 gale, accompanied with a very heavy sea, which caused the 

 vessel to pitch prodigiously, initiating a series of tortuous 

 evolutions for which she afterwards became famous. It being 

 impossible to struggle on our way against such formidable 

 obstacles, we attempted to make Brest in the course of the 

 forenoon ; but, frustrated in this by the fogginess of the 

 atmosphere, we altered course and ran for Plymouth. As may 



