^98 



APPENDIX 



No. 48. 



Previous to sailing from England in 1831, the Beagle was fitted 

 with the permanent lightning conductors invented by Mr. Wm. Snow 

 Harris, F.R.S. 



During the five years occupied in her voyage she was frequently 

 exposed to lightning, but never received the slightest damage, 

 although supposed to have been struck by it on at least two occa- 

 sions, when — at the instant of a vivid flash of lightning, accompa- 

 nied by a crashing peal of thunder — a hissing sound was heard on 

 the masts ; and a strange, though very slightly tremulous, motion in 

 the ship indicated that something unusual had happened. 



The Beagle's masts so fitted, answered well during the five years' 

 voyage above-mentioned, and are still in use on board the same ves- 

 sel, on foreign service. 



Even in such small spars as her royal masts and flying jib- 

 boom, the plates of copper held their places firmly, and increased 

 rather than diminished their strength. 



No objection which appears to me valid, has yet been raised against 

 them ; and were I allowed to choose between having masts so fitted 

 and the contrary, I should not have the slightest hesitation in decid- 

 ing on those with Mr. Harris's conductors. 



Whether they might be farther improved, as to position and other 

 details, is for their ingenious inventor to consider and determine. He 

 has already devoted so many years of valuable time and attention to 

 the very important subject of defending ships against the stroke of 

 electricity ; and has succeeded so well for the benefit of others — at 

 great inconvenience and expense to himself — that it is earnestly to 

 be hoped that the Government, on behalf of this great maritime 

 country, will, at the least, indemnify him for time employed and pri- 

 vate funds expended in a public service of so useful and necessary a 

 character. 



No. 49. 



MEMORANDUM OF SOME OF THE FRESH PROVISIONS, PROCURED FOR 

 THE beagle's crew, BETWEEN 1831 AND 1835. 



Many other animals and birds were shot at various places (be- 

 sides those enumerated in this list), by which every one on board 



