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The Beginning of his Journey
Starting from Plymouth, England, Darwin embarks on the HMS Beagle voyage, as the assistant to Captain Robert FitzRoy at age 22. He reports of always being seasick stating that "The misery I endured from seasickness is far beyond what I have ever guessed at."- Charles Darwin -
First Discoveries- Cape Verde Islands
Darwin is exhilarated by his first observations of all the geology on the various islands. He explored the volcanic island of St. Jago, off the coast of Africa. "It then first dawned on me that I might perhaps write a book on the geology of the various countries visited, and this made me thrill with delight."- Charles Darwin -
The Crossing of the Equator
Darwin and Captain FitzRoy crossed the Equator, and he experiences being shaved. He states while on the Beagle voyage that "We have crossed the Equator, and I have undergone the disagreeable operation of being shaved. . . the constable blindfolded me and thus lead along, buckets of water were thundered all around; I was then placed on a plank. which could be easily tilted up into a large bath of water. . ." -
Exploration of Brazilian Forest- Salvador, Brazil
During his time in Salvador, Brazil, Darwin explores the Brazilian forest for the very first time. He reports that he was delighted by the experience, and is impressed by all the beautiful scenery and organisms. "Here I first saw a tropical forest in all its sublime grandeur. . . I never experienced such intense delight."- Charles Darwin -
Discovery of Fossils- Punta Alta, Argentina
During his time in Punta Alta, Argentina, Darwin finds many different fossils and is very intrigued by them. For example, he finds the fossil of the the glyptodon, or an extinct giant armadillo fossil. "I have been wonderfully lucky with fossil bones. Some of the animals must have been of great dimensions! I am almost sure that many of them are quite new."- Charles Darwin -
Fuegian Village Natives- Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
In Tierra del Fuego, Darwin and Captain FitzRoy come across a village of natives, near their campsite. Captain FitzRoy repatriates three native people that he had brought to England on a previous voyage. To spread the word of Christianity, Captain FitzRoy attempts to start a mission (one of the original goals of the voyage) but ultimately, fails. -
Brachiopod Fossils on Falkland Islands
When exploring the Falkland Islands, Darwin describes the island as "desolate and wretched." After cracking open some rocks, Darwin discovers the fossils of brachiopods (two-shelled organism), one of the most abundant animal on Earth at one time, before they had went extinct. -
Gaucho Life- Rio Negro, Argentina
In Rio Negro, Argentina, Darwin explores the Pampas (fertile lowlands) along with the local gauchos/cowboys. "There is high enjoyment in the independence of the gaucho life - to be able at any moment to pull up [your] horse."- Charles Darwin -
Chilé Earthquake- Chiloé Island, Chilé
On the Chiloé Island in Chilé, Darwin saw Mount Orsono erupt, shortly after his arrival in January. In the woods near Valdiva, Darwin experiences an earthquake, which affected him in a major way. "I believe that this earthquake has done more in degrading or lessening the size of the island, than 100 years of ordinary wear and tear."- Charles Darwin -
Galapagos Islands
When exploring the Galapagos Islands, Darwin discovered many species of animals like tortoises, plants, and birds, which are unique to their respective islands. However, he found that many animals on these islands seem mysteriously related to the mainland species. He found it astounding that the tortoise shells were so tall, that he even rode upon one! Many organisms had features that are distinct to their survival. An example of this would be the finches and their beak sizes. -
Australia's Wonders-Sydney, Australia
When Darwin had first arrived in Sydney Cove, he felt that he should congratulate himself for being born an Englishman. He also wondered why their are many varieties and a completely different set of mammals in Australia. -
Coral Reef Studies- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
To test his theory of atoll formation, Darwin studied the coral reefs growing around the Cocos Islands. He states that "I am glad we visited these islands; such formations surely rank high amongst the wonderful objects of this world." -
Observations in Mauritius
In Mauritius, Darwin made observations about the environment, and made special notes about the terrain, what the grass had covered, and what grew in this environment. "I took a quiet walk along the sea coast to the north of the town; the plain is there quite uncultivated, consisted of a field of black lava smoothed over with coarse grass and bushes, the greater part of which are mimosas."- Charles Darwin -
Land in Cape Town, South Africa
While his stop in Cape Town, South Africa, Darwin made notes of the land in Cape Town, South Africa. He states that, "The first object in Cape Town which strikes the eye of a stranger, is the number of bullock wagons . . . I have as yet not mentioned the well known Table Mountain; this great mass of horizontally stratified sandstone rises quite close behind the town to a height of 3,500 feet."- Charles Darwin -
Seasick Tales in Bahia and Pernambuco, South America
Darwin discovered many animals in the jungles of South America, but because of his seasickness, he is very distraught when the Beagle has to make a detour for additional longitude measurements. "This zig-zag manner of proceeding is very grievious. . . I loathe. I abhor the sea, and all ships which sail on it."- Charles Darwin -
The Return Home- Falmouth, England
Darwin reached the end of his 5-year ling voyage on October 2, 1836. The Beagle ship was 90 feet long, and carried 74 people, with 22 clocks, in close quarters. "I reached home late last night. My head is quite confused with much delight."- Charles Darwin