Journal of Researches Into the Natural History and Geology of the Countries Visited During the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle Round the World

JOURNAL OF RESEARCHES

INTO THE

NATURAL HISTORY AND GEOLOGY

OF THE

COUNTRIES VISITED DURING THE VOYAGE OF
H. M. S. BEAGLE

ROUND THE WORLD,

UNDER THE COMMAND OF CAPT. FITZ ROY, R.N.

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575

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OF THE AMERICAN PUBLISHERS.

THIS work contains, in the form of a journal, a history of the Voyage of the Beagle, undertaken for scientific objects, and performed at the expense and under the direction of the British government. In his preface to the English edition, Mr. Darwin, the author, states that he accompanied the vessel at the request of her commander, Captain Fitz Roy, and with the special sanction of the Lords of the Admiralty. He published, after his return, a voluminous history of the expedition, setting forth in detail its scientific results. In this work he has given, besides a narrative of the voyage, a sketch of his observations in natural history and geology, presented in such a manner as to possess most interest and value for the general reader, referring those who look for scientific details to the larger publications. In its present form, it seems admirably adapted to the purpose of popular instruction and entertainment, and has therefore been included in the present series.

New-York, January, 1846.

H. & B.

CONTENTS

OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

Porto Praya-Ribeira Grande-Atmospheric Dust with Infusoria

-Habits of a Sea-slug and Cuttle-fish-St. Paul's Rocks, non-

volcanic-Singular Incrustations-Insects the first Colonists of

Islands-Fernando Noronha-Bahia-Burnished Rocks-Hab-

its of a Diodon-Pelagic Confervæ and Infusoria-Causes of

discoloured Sea
Page 1

CHAPTER II.