Stanley, R.N., F.R.S., also merits my warmest thanks, for
the important addition to the work of his visits to the Islands in the
Arafura Sea.

I have to explain, that when the name Australasia is used in the
following pages, it is intended to include Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land)
and all the islands in the vicinity of the Australian continent.

All bearings and courses, unless it is specified to the contrary, are
magnetic, according to the variation during the period of the Beagle's
voyage.

The longitudes are generally given from meridians in Australia, as I much
question whether any portion of the continent is accurately determined
with reference to Greenwich. Sydney, Port Essington, and Swan River, have
been the meridians selected; and the respective positions of those
places, within a minute of the truth, I consider to be as follows:

Swan River (Scott's Jetty, Fremantle) 115 degrees 47 minutes East.

Port Essington (Government house) 132 degrees 13 minutes East.

Sydney (Fort Macquarie) 151 degrees 16 minutes East.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME 1.

CHAPTER 1.1. INTRODUCTION.

Objects of the Voyage.
The Beagle commissioned.
Her former career.
Her first Commander.
Instructions from the Admiralty and the Hydrographer.
Officers and Crew.
Arrival at Plymouth.
Embark Lieutenants Grey and Lushington's Exploring Party.
Chronometric Departure.
Farewell glance at Plymouth.
Death of King William the Fourth.

CHAPTER 1.2. PLYMOUTH TO BAHIA.

Sail from Plymouth.
The Eight Stones.
Peak of Tenerife.
Approach to Santa Cruz.
La Cueva de Los Guanches.
Trade with Mogadore.
Intercourse between Mogadore and Mombas.
Reason to regret Mombas having been given up.
Sail from Tenerife.
Search for rocks near the equator.
Arrival at San Salvador.
Appearance of Bahia.
State of the Country.
Slave Trade.
And results of Slavery.
Extension of the Slave Trade on the eastern coast of Africa.
Moral condition of the Negroes.
Middy's Grave.
Departure from Bahia.
Mr. "Very Well Dice".

CHAPTER 1.3. FROM THE CAPE TO SWAN RIVER.

A gale.
Anchor in Simon's Bay.
H.M.S. Thalia.
Captain Harris, and his Adventures in Southern Africa.
Proceedings of the Land Party.
Leave Simon's Bay.
An overloaded ship.
Heavy weather and wet decks.
Island of Amsterdam.
Its true longitude.
St. Paul's.
Water.
Westerly variation.
Rottnest Island.
Gage's Road.
Swan River Settlement.
Fremantle.
An inland lake.
Plans for the future.
Illn