The natural history of the amphibious carnivora / [Robert Hamilton].

  • Hamilton, Robert, 1794-1868
Date:
1839
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The natural history of the amphibious carnivora / [Robert Hamilton]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    remained in the colony, whilst Peron considered himself bound by his engagement. Our limits do not permit us to follow him through all the de- tails of his adventures, but we shall stop a moment at those spots which formed the principal scenes of his labours. Sailing from the Isle of France, they shaped their course to the Western Shores of New Holland, and anchored in a bay which, from the vessel which first rode in it, they named Geography Bay. They then skirted along the Western Coast, sur- veying many harbours, and anchored for refresh- ment at the Island of Timor. It is chiefly to Peron’s stay in this spot that we are indebted for his labours on the Mollusca and Zoophites. The sea is shallow, and the excessive heat seems to multiply prodigiously these singular animals, and to adorn them with the brightest co- louring. Peron spent nearly the whole day on the shore, plunging into the water in the midst of the surf, always at the danger of his health, and some- times of his life. With the shades of evening he returned from his work, loaded with numerous specimens, which he reviewed, and of which his friend sketched the most remarkable objects. Neither the misfortunes which had befallen the other Naturalists, nor the dangers with which he, himself was threatened, had any power to relax Peron’s zeal. Nor did his industry, in collecting the innumerable productions of nature, hinder him from finding time for observations of a different kind.