September
—the beagle arrived southernmost galapagos islands. consists ten principal islands, exceed others size. equatorial line, and six hundred westward america. constitution volcanic. exception ejected fragments granite, curiously glazed altered heat, sandstone resulting attrition materials. higher attain elevation three, thousand feet) centre, flanks smaller orifices. data calculate, do hesitate affirm, be, archipelago, least craters. kinds; one, ordinary cases, scoriæ finely- stratified sandstone. instances beautifully symmetrical: due ejection mud,—that ashes water,—without considering placed directly equator, climate excessively hot; circumstance which, perhaps, chiefly temperature surrounding excepting season, falls, regular: clouds hang low. circumstances extremely arid, whilst summits, feet more, possess tolerably luxuriant especially case windward side, receives condenses moisture atmosphere. (17th,) like others, rises tame rounded outline, interrupted hillocks—the former inviting field basaltic astunted brushwood, shows signs life. parched heated noonday sun, air close sultry feeling, stove: fancied smelt unpleasantly. although diligently tried collect possible, succeeded getting wretched-looking weeds flora. thin woods, cover recently flowed, distance quite leafless, deciduous hemisphere winter. before discovered, leaf, greater flower. period rains, partially country, vegetation character approaching this, fernando noronha, respects similar conditions. natural history remarkable: seems world itself; inhabitants, vegetable animal, nowhere else. shall refer again, remark, forming striking landing, man. unsuspecting they, did understand meant regardless us, approached stick. sailed bays. night shore, cones—the fluids—were extraordinarily numerous. eminence, sixty surmounted consisted merely red scoriæ, slags, cemented together: height fifty feet. regular form, workshop appearance, strongly reminded those staffordshire iron-foundries beds comparative growth, entire absence, streams. moments: however, present traversed extinct condition; clearly distinguished, remained centuries. account voyagers activity; dampier (1684), increase vegetation, otherwise accurate person expressed himself thus : —"four easternmost rocky, barren, hilly, producing neither tree, herb, grass, dildoe (cactus) trees, except sea-side."* description applicable western forces frequent activity. visited scrambling intricate thickets, fatiguing; repaid cyclopian scene. each pounds. piece cactus, approached, looked me, reptiles, shrubs, fancy animals. frequented, bucaniers, latterly whalers, last years, colony established it. number: consist colour, who republic capital state) belong. half became greener; immediately bodies trade-wind, senses sight thriving irregularly flat space ground, bananas. accustomed chile. complaining poverty, gain, trouble, means subsistence soil. goats, derived tortoise. greatly reduced, reckon days' supplying rest taken seven day. staid days, birds. hill, altitude 1800 broken-down crater, thickly clothed brushwood. thirty-nine terminated —we doubled south-west extremity albermarle becalmed lava; either rims caldrons, burst forth orifices flanks, descent spread sea-coast. eruptions occasionally take place; smoke curling lofty bank's cove, came, harbour breakfast walking. southward another composition,

October
symmetrical. form; mile, depth feet. shallow centre islet. overpoweringly clear blue. slope, dust eagerly tasted water—but sorrow rocks coast abounded lizards, between four feet long; hills, species equally common. latter, clumsily running way, shuffling into burrows. shall presently describe detail habits both reptiles. —we northern albermarle covered dark-coloured lavas, craters. world, situated tropics, such considerable size (namely long), incapable supporting life. james captain fitzroy mr. bynoe, shore, tent vessel watering. plan collections, entire week hard work. spaniards, who fish, tortoise-meat. distance six miles, 2000 feet, spaniards erected hovel lived, catching tortoises, whilst fishing coast. paid visits, slept night. islands, lower region leafless bushes: grow trees. measured diameter, even nine inches. upper kept damp, moisture condensed clouds, supports green flourishing vegetation. damp ground, beds coarse carex, numbers water-rail lived bred. while staying region, upon breastplate roasted (as gauchos carne con cuero), flesh attached it, good; young tortoises make excellent soup; otherwise taste indifferent. accompanied whale-boat salina, procured. landing, rough walk rugged field lava, almost surrounded salt-lake situated. inches deep, rested layer beautifully crystallized white salt. quite circular, fringed border brightly succulent plants: precipitous walls also clothed wood, scene picturesque curious. years since, sailors belonging sealing-vessel murdered quiet spot; skull lying among bushes. sky cloudless, trade-wind failed hour, became 93°; 85°. extremely colour 137°, risen, know, number. disagreeable, account,