PREFACE 



I have stated in the preface to the first Edition of this work, 

 and in the Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle, that it was in 

 consequence of a wish expressed by Captain Fitz Roy, of having 

 some scientific person on board, accompanied by an offer from 

 him of giving up part of his own accommodations, that I volun- 

 teered 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 repeat my expression of gratitude to him; 

 and to add that, during the five years we were together, I re- 

 ceived from him the most cordial friendship and steady assist- 

 ance. Both to Captain Fitz Roy and to all the Officers of the 

 Beagle 1 I shall ever feel most thankful for the undeviating kind- 

 ness with which I was treated during our long voyage. 



This volume contains, in the form of a Journal, a history of 

 our voyage, and a sketch of those observations in Natural History 

 and Geology, which I think will possess some interest for the 

 general reader. I have in this edition largely condensed and 

 corrected some parts, and have added a little to others, in order 

 to render the volume more fitted for popular reading; but I trust 

 that naturalists will remember, that they must refer for details 

 to the larger publications which comprise the scientific results 

 of the Expedition. The Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle 

 includes an account of the Fossil Mammalia, by Professor Owen ; 

 of the Living Mammalia, by Mr. Waterhouse ; of the Birds, by 

 Mr. Gould ; of the Fish, by the Rev. L. Jenyns ; and of the Rep- 

 tiles., by Mr. Bell. I have appended to the descriptions of each 

 species an account of its habits and range. These works, which 



I I must 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. 



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