598 



ADVICE TO COLLECTORS. 



Oct. 1836. 



years since a large city was here overwlielmed by an earth- 

 quake. It is asserted that the land then subsided, and a 

 wall of a convent now bathed by the sea, is shown as a proof 

 of it : the fact is probable, but the supposed proof not con- 

 clusive. I returned home by another road, which first led 

 along the northern shore, and then crossed the central part 

 of the island. This north-eastern extremity is particularly 

 well cultivated, and produces a large quantity of fine wheat. 

 The square open fields, and small villages with whitewashed 

 churches, gave to the view, as seen from the heights, an 

 aspect resembling the less picturesque parts of central 

 England. We soon reached the region of clouds, which 

 during our whole visit hung very low and concealed the 

 tops of the mountains. For a couple of hours we crossed 

 this central and elevated part, whicli is not inhabited and 

 has a desolate appearance. When we descended from the 

 clouds to the city, I heard the good news that astronomical 

 observations had been obtained, and that we should go to 

 sea the same evening. 



On the 25th we called at the island of St. MichaeFs for 

 letters, and then steered a direct course for England. On 

 October 2d the Beagle anchored at Falmouth, where I left 

 her, having lived on board the little vessel very nearly five 

 years. 



As this volume may possibly fall into the hands of some 

 one about to undertake a similar expedition, I will ofifer a 

 few pieces of advice^ some of which I observed with much 

 advantage, but others, to my cost, neglected. Let the 

 collector's motto be, " Trust nothing to the memory for 

 the memory becomes a fickle guardian when one interesting 

 object is succeeded by another still more interesting. Keep 

 a list with the date of the ships by which every box of 

 specimens, or even a letter, is transmitted to England ; let 

 the receiver do the same: it will afterwards save much 

 anxiety. Put a number on every specimen, and every frag- 

 ment of a specimen ; and during the very same minute let it be 



