I857-] NOVARA EXPEDITION. 45 1 



[The following letter refers to the expedition of the Aus- 

 trian frigate Novara; Lyell had asked my father for sugges- 

 tions.] 



C. Darwin to C. Lyell. 



Down, Feb. nth [1857]. 



My dear Lyell, — I was glad to see in the newspapers 

 about the Austrian Expedition. I have nothing to add geolo- 

 gically to my notes in the Manual.* I do not know whether 

 the Expedition is tied down to call at only fixed spots. But 

 if there be any choice or power in the scientific men to 

 influence the places — this would be most desirable. It is my 

 most deliberate conviction that nothing would aid more, 

 Natural History, than careful collecting and investigating all 

 the productions of the most isolated islands, especially of the 

 southern hemisphere. Except Tristan d'Acunha and Ker- 

 guelen Land, they are very imperfectly known ; and even at 

 Kerguelen Land, how much there is to make out about the 

 lignite beds, and whether there are signs of old Glacial action. 

 Every sea shell and insect and plant is of value from such 

 spots. Some one in the Expedition especially ought to have 

 Hooker's New Zealand Essay. What grand work to explore 

 Rodriguez, with its fossil birds, and little known productions 

 of every kind. Again the Seychelles, which, with the Cocos 

 so near, must be a remnant of some older land. The outer 

 island of Juan Fernandez is little known. The investigation 

 of these little spots by a band of naturalists would be grand ; 

 St. Paul's and Amsterdam would be glorious, botanically, 

 and geologically. Can you not recommend them to get my 

 ' Journal ' and ' Volcanic Islands ' on account of the Galapa- 

 gos. If they come from the north it will be a shame and a 

 sin if they do not call at Cocos Islet, one of the Galapagos. 

 I always regretted that I was not able to examine the great 



* The article "Geology" in the Admiralty Manual of Scientific En- 

 quiry. 



