Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.3)

598 ADVICE TO COLLECTOUS. Oct. 1836. years since a large city was here overwhelmed 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, which 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 25 th 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 httle 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 ofiier a few pieces of adAace, 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