« 



PREFACE. 



I HAVE stated in the preface to the Zoology of the 

 Voyage of the Beagle, that it was in consequence of a 

 wish expressed by Captain FitzRoy, of having some 

 scientific person on board, accompanied by an offer 

 from him, of giving up part of his own accommo- 

 dations, that I volunteered my services, which received, 

 through the kindness of the hydrographer. Captain 

 Beaufort, the sanction of the Lords of the Admiralty. 

 As I feel that the opportunities, which I enjoyed of 

 studying the Natural History of the different countries 

 we visited, have been wholly due to Captain Fitz- 

 Roy, I hope I may here be permitted to express 

 my gratitude to him ; and to add that, during the five 

 years we were together, I received from him the most 

 cordial friendship and steady assistance. Both to 

 Captain FitzRoy and to all the Officers of the Beagle,* 



* I must likewise take this opportunity of returning my sincere 

 thanks to Mr. Bynoe, the surgeon of the Beagle, for his very kind 

 attention to me when I was ill at Valparaiso. 



