This volume contains, in the form of a Journal, a history ofour voyage, and a sketch of those observations in Natural Historyand Geology, which I think will possess some interest for thegeneral reader. I have in this edition largely condensed andcorrected some parts, and have added a little to others, in orderto render the volume more fitted for popular reading; but I trustthat naturalists will remember, that they must refer for detailsto the larger publications which comprise the scientific resultsof the Expedition. The Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagleincludes an account of the Fossil Mammalia, by Professor Owen;of the Living Mammalia, by Mr. Waterhouse; of the Birds, byMr. Gould; of the Fish, by the Rev. L. Jenyns; and of theReptiles, by Mr. Bell. I have appended to the descriptions ofeach species an account of its habits and range. These works,which I owe to the high talents and disinterested zeal of theabove distinguished authors, could not have been undertaken, hadit not been for the liberality of the Lords Commissioners of HerMajesty's Treasury, who, through the representation of the RightHonourable the Chancellor of the Exchequer, have been pleasedto grant a sum of one thousand pounds towards defraying partof the expenses of publication.

I have myself published separate volumes on the 'Structureand Distribution of Coral Reefs;' on the 'Volcanic Islandsvisited during the Voyage of the Beagle;' and on the 'Geologyof South America.' The sixth volume of the 'GeologicalTransactions' contains two papers of mine on the ErraticBoulders and Volcanic Phenomena of South America. Messrs.Waterhouse, Walker, Newman, and White, have published severalable papers on the Insects which were collected, and I trustthat many others will hereafter follow. The plants from thesouthern parts of America will be given by Dr. J. Hooker, inhis great work on the Botany of the Southern Hemisphere. TheFlora of the Galapagos Archipelago is the subject of a separatememoir by him, in the 'Linnean Transactions.' The ReverendProfessor Henslow has published a list of the plants collectedby me at the Keeling Islands; and the Reverend J. M. Berkeleyhas described my cryptogamic plants.

I shall have the pleasure of acknowledging the great assistancewhich I have received from several other naturalists, in thecourse of this and my other works; but I must be here allowedto return my most sincere thanks to the Reverend ProfessorHenslow, who, when I was an undergraduate at Cambridge, wasone chief means of giving me a taste for Natural History, --who, during my absence, took charge of the collections I senthome, and by his correspondence directed my endeavours, -- andwho, since my return, has constantly rendered me everyassistance which the kindest friend could offer.

DOWN, BROMLEY, KENT,June 9, 1845

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