Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.1): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

INTRODUCTION. XVll of the River Plata, to Chiloe; on the west coast of America ; in such manner and order, as the state of the season, the information you may have re- ceived, or other circumstances, may induce you to adopt. " You are to continue on this service until it shall be completed ; taking every opportunity to commu- nicate to our Secretary, and the Commander-in- Chief, your proceedings : and also, whenever you may be able to form any judgment of it, where the Commander-in-Chief, or our Secretary, may be able to communicate with you. *' In addition to any arrangements made with the Admiral, for recruiting your stores, and provisions you are, of course, at liberty to take all other means, which may be within your reach, for that essential purpose. " You are to avail yourself of every opportunity of collecting and preserving Specimens of such objects of Natural History as may be new, rare^ or interesting ; and you are to instruct Captain Stokes, and all the other OlEficers, to use their best diligence in increasing the Collections in each ship : the whole of which must be understood to belong to the Public. *' In the event of any irreparable accident happen- ing to either of the two vessels, you are to cause the officers and crew of the disabled vessel to be b