Summary: Period: 1800's Setting: South America By Roselyn Silverman - her latest story is in Midwest Literary Magazine Read by Kevin Harty Check out the History Chicks podcast Closing music: Evolution Rocks by Overman, courtesy of Music Alley from Mevio. Origin of the Orign Unpublished manuscript found among the papers of Charles Darwin after his death in 1882. Also found, two pieces of pottery of uncertain origin, craftsmanship, and provenance. The Beagle anchored at Bahia Blanca during the early part of September 1832. In order to survey the southern and eastern coasts of South America during the succeeding year, the Beagle was to leave and return to this port periodically. This left me with the freedom to roam and collect at will while the Beagle was not in port. After being incarcerated for several months in a ship, I felt buoyed by the freedom of walking over unfenced grasslands, unrestricted by the narrow confines of the ship. I intended to stay some weeks in the area, during which time I would collect and preserve some of the local animals, birds, and reptiles. I would also chip out fossils if any were found in the geological strata on the beach. When I returned to port, I would eventually send back my cleaned and preserved findings on returning ships to family, friends and mentors in England. This was accomplished during the first few weeks of my stay in a manner that bettered my expectations. My description of this collection and the local fauna and flora was carefully made, to the best of my ability, in my original notes concerning this trip.
