Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836

The shell is found in all parts of the shores of Tierra del Fuego, particularly on its seaward coast, and the western parts of the Strait of Magalhaens.

21. Chiton Bowenii

C. testâ oblongo-ovatâ, castaneo-rufâ; dorso elevato; valvis subdentatis, sublævibus concentricè tenuiter striatis; areis lateralibus radiatim sulcatis; ligamento marginali granuloso, nigro; long. 32⁄8; lat. 1½; poll.

Habitat ad oras insulæ Tierra del Fuego et in freto Magellanico. Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

Shell oblong-ovate, and generally of a chestnut red, and the granulose ligament black; the colour of the younger specimens is more brilliant, and sometimes interspersed with yellow. Middle valves slightly toothed, and very delicately lineated, the lines forming an obtuse angle in the direction of the axis of the shell; the lateral compartments are marked with deeper striæa or grooves, radiating from the upper angle to the base, which, crossing the transverse markings of the valve, have a reticulated appearance: the anterior and posterior valves are radiated with fine lines.

This Chiton was discovered by Mr. Bowen, surgeon of the Beagle, by whom it was presented to me. The specimen was sent home among a collection of Natural History, transmitted in the year 1827.

22. Fissurella coarctata

F. testâ ovatâ, anticé attenuatâ, elevatâ; radiis frequentibus elevatis; internè virescenti; foraminis margine externo juxta medium coarctato, subdentato; long 25⁄16; lat. 113⁄16; alt. 14⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad Portum Praya. Mus. Brit., nost.

23. Helix translucens

H. testâ subglobosâ, translucente, levissimè transversim striatâ; anfractu basali lineâ longitudinali castaneâ sub-mediâ ornato; long. 17⁄32; lat. 9⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad Rio de Janeiro. Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

24. Helix pusio

H. testâ rotundo-complanatâ, creberrimè striatâ, translucente, maculis castaneo-rufis ornatâ; long. 1⁄16; lat. 3⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad Juan Fernandez. Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

25. Helicina sordida

H. testâ globoso-conoideâ; anfractibus rotundatis longitudinaliter striatis; operculo castaneo; long. 2⁄8 paulo plus; lat 5⁄16 paulo plus; poll.

Habitat ad Rio de Janeiro. Mus. Brit., nost.

The colour of this shell is of a dirty yellowish white, with a slight tinge of diaphanous violet within the margin of the lip.

26. Pupa subdiaphana. – No. 194. MSS

P. testâ cylindraceâ, albâ, subdiaphanâ, transversim creberrimè substriatâ; long. 4⁄8 paulo minus; lat. 3⁄16 paulo minus; poll.

Habitat ad Portum Praya. (Cape Verd Islands.) Mus. Brit., nost.

27. Bulinus Gravesii

B. testâ subventricosâ, longitudinaliter subrugosâ, sub-albidâ, fusco-maculatâ, spirâ longitudinaliter striatâ; long. 14⁄8; lat. 13⁄16 paulo minus; poll.

Habitat ad Valparaiso. Mus. nost.

I have named the shell after my shipmate and friend, Lieutenant Thomas Graves, whose zeal and assiduity in assisting and increasing my collections of Natural History was as unwearied as the alacrity and ability which he displayed in the primary and more important objects of the voyage, of which, in his Majesty's ship Adventure, he filled the appointment of assistant surveyor. To Lieutenant Graves I am principally indebted for my land-shells, and I therefore take the opportunity of recording the valuable assistance he rendered me during the whole period of his serving under my command.

28. Bulinus Gravesii, var

B. testâ subpyramidali, scabrâ, albidâ, aliquando lineolis raris; epidermide lutescente; long. 19⁄16; lat. 11⁄16 paulo plus. poll.

Habitat ad Valparaiso. Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

This is certainly a variety of No. 27, Bulinus Gravesii.

29. Bulinus dentatus

B. testâ cylindraceâ, punctatâ, sub-diaphanâ, fusco maculatâ; aperturâ dentatâ, clausiliam mentiente; long. 15⁄16; lat. 5⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad oras Brasiliæ (St. Catherine). Mus. Brit., nost.

30. Bulinus lutescens. – No. 140. MSS

B. testâ obovatâ, ventricosâ, subscabrâ, lutescente; long. 1⅛; lat. 11⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad Maldonado (Gorriti). Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

31. Bulinus corrugatus. – No. 941 MSS

B. testâ subalbidâ, transversim et longitudinaliter rugoso-striatâ, maculis fuscis, obsoletis; aperturâ purpurascente; columellâ nigricante purpureâ; long. 16⁄8 paulo plus; lat. 13⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad Concepcion. Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

The body-whorl of the older specimens of this shell is rather roughly striated or wrinkled, the last but one slightly so, and the remaining whorls are quite smooth. The colour is whitish, with purple spots more or less obsolete: the old specimens are sometimes of a dull yellowish white. A specimen is deposited in the British Museum.

The young shells of this species are of a whitish brown, with darker coloured striæ. They are very fragile and semi-transparent.

32. Bulinus sordidus. – No. 803 MSS

B. testâ pyramidali, transversim striatâ, fuscâ; anfractu basali ad suturam subalbido, lineâ subcentricâ pallidâ; labii vix reflexi margine albo; long. 115⁄16; lat. ⅞ poll.

Habitat ad Brasiliam (Rio de Janeiro). Mus. nost.

33. Bulinus multicolor.243– No. 791 MSS

B. testâ ovato-pyramidali, longitudinaliter et transversim creberrimè substriatâ, luteo-fuscâ maculis albis et purpureo-atris fucatâ; labio roseo subreflexo; columellâ subalbidâ, aperturâ intus subatropurpureâ; long. 15⁄16; lat. 9⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad Brasiliam. Mus. nost., Geo. Sowerby.

33.* Bulinus rosaceus

B. testâ ovato-oblongâ, scabriusculâ; apice et anfractibus primis, rosaceis, cæteris viridi-fuscis; labro albo; suturis crenulatis seu plicatis; long. 2⅛; lat. 1; poll.

Habitat ad oras Americæ meridionalis (Chile). Mus. Brit., nost., Brod., Geo. Sowerby, &c.

Soon after the return of the expedition, my friend Mr. Broderip, to whose inspection Lieutenant Graves had submitted his collection, observing symptoms of life in some of the shells of this species, took means for reviving the inhabitants from their dormant state, and succeeded. After they had protruded their bodies, they were placed upon some green leaves, which they fastened upon and ate greedily. These animals had been in this state for seventeen or eighteen months, and five months subsequently another was found alive in my collection, so that this last had been nearly two years dormant. The shells were all sent to Mr. Loddige's nursery, where they lived for eight months, when they unfortunately all died within a few days of each other. Soon after the shells were first deposited at Mr. Loddige's, one got away, and escaped detection for several months, until it was at last discovered in a state of hybernation; it was removed to the place where the others were kept, when it died also. The upper surface of the animal when in health is variegated with ruddy spots and streaks on an ash-coloured ground.

34. Partula flavescens

P. testâ subfusiformi, pallide flavâ, interdum castaneâ vel flavo et castaneo variâ; long. 11⁄16; lat. 5⁄16 paulo plus; poll.

Habitat ad oras Americæ meridionalis (Valparaiso). Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

This shell varies in its colour almost as much as Bulinus citrinus.

35. Achatina Donellii. – No. 413 MSS

A. testâ subalbidâ, transversim substriatâ, anfractu basali ventricosâ; long. 7⁄16 paulo plus; lat. 2⁄8; poll.

Habitat ad Lima. Mus. nost.

36. Achatina diaphana

A. testâ subcylindraceâ, diaphanâ, transversim striatâ; long. 5⁄16; lat. 5⁄32; poll.

Habitat ad insulam Juan Fernandez, in montibus. Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

37. Achatina strigata. – No. 462 MSS

A. testâ diaphanâ, subalbidâ, creberrimè transversim substriatâ, strigis longitudinalibus castaneis raris; anfractu basali subangulato; long. 11⁄16 paulo plus; lat. 6⁄16 paulo minus; poll.

Habitat in paludibus Brasiliæ (Santo Paulo). Mus. nost.

38. Achatina sordida. – No. 798 MSS

A. testâ subdiaphanâ, subconicâ, anfractu basali ventricoso; long. 6⁄8 paulo plus; lat. ⅜ paulo plus; poll.

Habitat ad Brasiliam (Rio de Janeiro). Mus. nost.

39. Achatina Sellovii

A. testâ cylindraceâ transversim striatâ subdiaphanâ; long. 5⁄16; lat. 2⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad Brasiliam (St. Catherine). Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

This shell, which I found at the city of Nossa Sena. de Estero, I have dedicated to my friend, Dr. Sellow, whose researches in Natural History for several years past in the interior of Brazil, are well known to the scientific world.

40. Succinea fragilis

S. testâ ovato-acutâ, diaphanâ, ventricosâ, transversim striatâ, obliquè subrugosâ; spirâ brevi; long. 9⁄16 paulo minus; lat. 6⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad insulam Juan Fernandez. Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

41. Succinea patula

S. testâ diaphanâ, ovato-rotundatâ, ventricosissimâ, transversim creberrimè striatâ; spirâ brevissimâ; aperturâ patulâ; long. 4⁄8 paulo plus; lat. ⅜ paulo plus; poll.

Habitat ad insulam Juan Fernandez.

Marinula. Nov. GenusCharacter Genericus

Testâ ovato-productâ, sub-solidâ; aperturâ ovatâ, integrâ; columellâ bidentatâ, et basin versus uniplicatâ; dentibus magnis sub-remotis conniventibus, superiore maximo; operculum nullum.

42. Marinula pepita

M. testâ ovato-productâ, viridi-fuscâ; anfractibus sub-tumidis; spirâ brevi; aperturâ nigricante; dentibus plicâque albidis; long. 7⁄16; lat. 4⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad insulam Chilóe. Mus. Brit., nost., Brod., G. Sowerby.

This animal, which I have thought it necessary to assign to a new genus, appears to have for its nearest neighbours the genera Auricula and Pedipes. It was found on the wooden piles which support the mole in the Bay of San Carlos, in Chilóe, below the wash of the high water. The mole stands out into the sea, and there is no fresh water near it, save a very little rill, which discharges its tiny stream more than fifty yards off.

43. Lymnæa diaphana. – No. 349 MSS

L. testâ turritâ, transversim substriatâ, anfractibus ventricosis; long. 11⁄16; paulo plus; lat. 5⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad fretum Magellanicum (Cape Gregory). Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

This shell was found in the fresh-water ponds in the neighbourhood of Cape Gregory, which is on the continental side of the eastern end of the Strait of Magalhaens.

44. Ampullaria Cumingii

A. testâ globosâ, transversim striatâ, subalbidâ, longitudinaliter castaneo-lineatâ et fasciatâ, epidermide virescente; umbilico parvo; lat. 17⁄16; long. 16⁄16; poll.

Habitat in Sinu Panamæ; (island of Saboga, in a small hill-stream). Mus. Brit, nost., Brod.

From Mr. Cuming's collection. I have named this shell after Mr. Cuming, from whom I received it.

45. Natica globosa

N. testâ globosâ, tenui, ventricosissimâ, corneâ, vel subalbidâ, subtilissimè striatâ; spirâ brevi; umbilico parvo; operculo valdè tenui; long. 15⁄16 paulo plus; lat. ⅞; poll.

Habitat ad fretum Magellanicum (Cape Gregory). Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

46. Natica castanea

N. testâ ovato-acutâ castaneâ, albo-lineatâ; aperturâ mediocri; columellâ valdè callosâ; umbilico mediocri; long. 13⁄16; lat. 21⁄32; poll.

Habitat ad Brasiliæ; oras, circa Santos. Mus. nost.

47. Turbo lugubris

T. testâ nigricante, striatâ; aperturâ argenteâ; labri margine nigrâ, subcrenulatâ; operculo valdè lapidoso, albo; long. 2⅛; lat. 22⁄8 fere; poll.

Habitat ad Sinum Peñas. Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

48. Odontis subplicata

O. testâ granuloso-striatâ, viridi-fuscâ, nigro maculatâ; umbilico mediocri; labri margine sub-plicato; long. 10⁄16; lat. 13⁄16 paulo plus; poll.

Habitat ad Brasiliam (Rio de Janeiro). Mus. Brit., nost.

49. Littorina flava

L. testâ longitudinaliter striatâ, sub-flavâ; spirâ brevi; anfractu basali ventricoso; columellæ purpurascentis margine et aperturâ sub-flavâ; operculo nigricante; long. ⅝ paulo plus; lat. 7⁄16 poll.

Habitat ad Brasiliam (Rio de Janeiro). Mus. Brit., nost.

In young shells there are a few obscure reddish brown streaks crossing the striæ.

50. Littorina perdix

L. testâ striis elevatis balteatâ, albidâ, fusco-maculatâ, striis interstitialibus minus elevatis, ambabus sub-cancellatis; aperturâ albâ, labri margine tenui, castaneo-maculatâ; long. 13⁄16; lat. 17⁄32 poll.

Habitat? Mus. nost.

51. Littorina striata

L. testâ ovato-conicâ, fuscâ, striis elevatis scabrâ; spirâ brevi; anfractu basali tumido; aperturâ nigricante, basin versus strigâ luteoalbâ ornatâ; labri margine crenulato albo-fulvido; operculo nigro; long. 4⁄8 paulo plus; lat. 7⁄16 ferè; poll.

Habitat in Mari Atlantico boreali (Port Praya). Mus. Brit., nost.

52. Margarita fasciata, n. s

M. testâ albidâ, creberrimè striatâ, purpureo fasciatâ, aperturâ argenteâ; long. 4⁄16; lat. 5⁄16 ferè; poll.

Habitat in Mari Pacifico. Mus. nost.

Portions of the striated surface are elevated into belts, which are of a purple colour.

53. Margarita violacea

M. testâ sub-ovatâ, violaceâ, spirâ brevi; anfractibus tumidis; aperturâ iridescente; long. 7⁄16; lat. 8⁄16 fere; poll.

Habitat ad fretum Magellanicum. Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

Of this shell the Indians make their necklaces; it is found adhering to the leaves of the Fucus giganteus, and is the principal food of the Steamer or Racehorse Duck (Micropterus Patachonicus, nob. in Proceedings of the Zoological Society, December 14, 1830, page 15).

54. Margarita cœrulescens

M. testâ sub-complanatâ, cœruleâ, striatâ, albido-lineatâ, aperturâ iridescente; lat. 13⁄16 ferè; long. 15⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad fretum Magellanicum (Cape Gregory). Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

55. Turritella tricarinata

T. testâ turritâ, anfractibus tricarinatis; carinis nodulosis; long. 1⅝; lat. 9⁄16 paulo minus; poll.

Habitat ad oras Americæ meridionalis (Valparaiso). Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

The Carinæ are nodulous, or twisted like the strands of a rope; the twists of the upper carina are in the direction of a water-laid, or right-handed rope, and those of the two lower carinæ are in the opposite direction, or like what is termed a hawser-laid rope. Between these nodulous carinæ are elevated lines, and the base is very strongly striated. Found in deep water in the Bay of Valparaiso. Dead shells of this species are occasionally found thrown upon the beach, near the Almendral.

56. Turritella nodulosa

T. testâ elongato-turritâ; anfractibus striatis; striis duabus maximis subnodulosis; long. 111⁄16; lat. 7⁄16 fere; poll.

Habitat? Mus. Brit., nost.

The two large striæ, which are remarkable for the nodules, are not far from the middle of each whorl, and generally are nearer the upper suture: of these the lowest is the largest.

57. Murex salebrosus.

M. testâ elongato-ovatâ, subalbidâ, fasciis fuscis, epidermide cinereâ; spirâ brevi; anfractibus angulatis, nodulosis; aperturâ oblongâ ad basin angustâ, castaneâ, intus albâ; labro internè denticulato, dentibus obtusis albis; columellâ rectâ, lævi; canali brevi; long. 37⁄16; lat. 2; poll.

Habitat? Mus. nost., Geo. Sowerby.

This species approaches Murex vitulinus very nearly; the body-whorl is very much elongated, and the nodules which mark the angles of the whorl are formed of the more elevated parts of what may be termed coarse longitudinal plaits.

58. Murex Rhodocheilus

M. testâ ventricosâ, albâ, fasciis elevatis striatis; septemfariam varicosâ, varicibus roseis denticulatis; aperturâ rotundatâ, roseâ, intus albidâ; labri margine asperrimè denticulato; caudâ mediocri, sub-recurvâ; long. 313⁄16; lat. 27⁄16; poll.

Habitat? Mus. nost.

59. Triton ranelliformis

T. testâ ovato-fusiformi, subdepressâ, albidâ fusco fasciatâ, costatâ; costis granulosis, interstitiis striatis; aperturâ subrotundâ, albidâ; columellâ subrugosâ; labro internè obtusè denticulato; margine undulato; epidermide viridi-fuscâ, scabrâ; long. 33⁄16; lat. 16⁄8; poll.

Habitat ad Sinum Peñas et oram occidentalem Americæ meridionalis. Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

The denticules of the outer lip are ranged in pairs, at regular and somewhat distant intervals.

60. Triton scaber

T. testâ ovato-acutâ, cancellatâ; spirâ elongatâ; epidermide fuscâ, setosâ; aperturâ albâ granulosâ; labro interne obtusè denticulato; long.; lat.; poll.

Habitat ad oras Americæ meridionalis (Valparaiso). Mus. nost.

The denticules of the inner lip are more elevated than those of the last (T. ranelliformis), and are equidistant. It was fished up with the anchor in Valparaiso Bay.

61. Monoceros fusoides

M. testâ ventricosâ, spirâ mediocri, anfractibus bicarinatis; anfractu basali lineis elevatis admodum distantibus cincto; aperturâ patulâ; dente labiali brevi, lato, obtuso; canali producto, recto, integro; operculo corneo; long. 2¾; lat. 1⅝; poll.

Habitat ad oras Americæ meridionalis (Concepcion). Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

Approaching Fusus in its elongated and entire canal, while its exterior lip has the labial tooth which distinguishes Monoceros. The columella is not straight, as in all the other species, but curved, so as to make an angle in some specimens at the commencement of the canal, and in all it becomes very broad at the point where it is opposite to the tooth. The shell is of a reddish colour, ventricose, and girt with elevated lines, about a quarter of an inch apart. The spire has only two of these lines on each whorl, and has a bicarinated appearance. The aperture is wide, the outer lip sinuous, its tooth short, broad, and obtuse, and the operculum horny. The shell is seldom found in a perfect state, the beak being generally broken off, and the surface is, in all the specimens that I have seen, covered with a calcareous encrustation, entirely concealing the colours.

62. Buccinum muriciforme

B. testâ ovato-fusiformi, cinereâ; anfractibus tumidis, costellatis, costellis cancellatis; aperturâ castaneo-nigricante; labri margine crenulato. Muricem mentiens; long. 1; lat. 9⁄16; poll.

Habitat ad fretum Magellanicum. Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

The eggs of this species were found, and are preserved in spirits.

63. Buccinum squalidum

B. testâ conico-fusiformi, fuscâ; anfractu basali ventricoso; spirâ mediocri; aperturâ fuscâ, lutescenti, patulâ; long. 115⁄16; lat. 1⅛; poll.

Habitat? Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

64. Buccinum deforme

B. testa ovatâ, subponderosâ, subalbidâ, fasciis duabus fuscis obscuris; spirâ brevi; anfractu basali subdepresso, suturam versus crasso; columellâ valdè callosâ; long. 19⁄16; lat. 1 paulo plus; poll.

Habitat ad flumen Plata (Gorriti). Mus. Brit., nost.

The eggs of this shell, contained in a transparent orbicular nidus, the size of a turtle's egg, were found thrown up on the sea-beach of the island. In the month of January they were observed in all stages of growth. A series was preserved in spirits, and presented to the College of Surgeons.

65. Columbella mitriformis

C. testâ fusiformi, luteo-rufescente, fasciis nigro-castaneis, maculis albis tessellatâ; long. 7⁄16; lat. 3⁄16; poll.

Habitat? Mus. Brit., nost., Brod.

66. Mitra pusilla

M. testâ ovato-acutâ, ventricosâ, fulvâ, creberrimè costatâ; costis interstitiisque striatis, basi granulosâ; spirâ brevi, anfractibus suturam supereminentibus; columellâ quinque-plicatâ; long. ⅝; lat. 5⁄16 paulo plus; poll.

Habitat? Mus. nost.

The denticules of the outer lip are arranged in pairs, at regular, and somewhat distant, intervals.

67. Voluta

A fragment of a turbinated shell, bearing marks more assignable to Voluta than to any other genus, was found on the sea-beach in the neighbourhood of Cape Fairweather, on the east coast of Patagonia, in latitude 51½° south. The remains appear to differ from Voluta Ancilla and V. Brasiliana.

COPIES OF ORDERS—His Majesty's surveying vessel Adventure, Sea Bear Bay

It is my direction, that when finally parting company from me, you proceed to the execution of the following orders, in company with the Adelaide schooner, the commander of which, upon our meeting him, will receive instructions to put himself under your command.

You will, as soon as possible, make the best of your way to Port Famine, stopping at Pecket Harbour to communicate with the Indians, should they be there, for the purpose of securing a supply of guanaco meat for the ship's company.

At Port Famine you will immediately detach Lieutenant Skyring, with a boat and boat's crew, in the Adelaide, to co-operate with Lieutenant Graves in surveying the Magdalen Channel and its communication with the sea; after which you will direct him to rejoin you, by the Barbara Channel, at Port Gallant, whither you will proceed, after completing your water at Port Famine; on your way to which, if you should have an opportunity, the following bays, on the south side of the Strait, might be planned, viz. Lyell Bay, Cascade Bay, San Pedro Bay, and Freshwater Bay (or Cove). The coast also to the west of the Barbara Channel, behind the islands of Charles and Ulloa, should be examined; and of the northern arm of the Jerome Channel, called in the chart, Indian Sound, we know nothing.

If, after the return of the Adelaide, you should find the weather so favourable as to permit your extending your exploration of those parts of the Strait which are yet unknown to us, you will remain for that purpose; but, at all events, you are to leave the Strait by the middle of June, or the first of July at latest, and repair with the Adelaide to San Carlos, at the north end of Chilóe, where you will find or hear of me, by the 10th of August.

In performing the above orders you will act as you may consider best for their most effectual execution, keeping in mind that the most desirable part is the survey of the Magdalen Channel.

From our experience, last year, of the weather during the months of April and May, I am in hopes of your being able to work during those months, with success; but should you meet with bad weather, you will be most careful in not exposing your people unnecessarily to the severity of the climate.

Upon detaching the Adelaide you will appoint Lieutenant Skyring to the superintendence of the service upon which she is sent, giving Lieutenant Graves instructions to that effect accordingly.

His Majesty's surveying sloop Beagle, Port Famine

In obedience to the orders I have received from Commander Phillip Parker King, senior officer of the Expedition for the survey of a part of South America, it is my direction that you proceed immediately, in the Adelaide schooner, to survey as much of the Magdalen Channel and the Strait or Channel of Santa Barbara as you find practicable at this season of the year.

If, in the execution of this service, you should find the season too much advanced to proceed without much risk to the vessel, or exposing yourself and the men to much bad weather, you will give up the design, and hasten to Port Gallant.

Should the Beagle not be in Port Gallant at your return, and no letter left for you in a bottle, you will wait there one week, and then return to Port Famine. At all events, you will endeavour to rejoin the Beagle before the first week in June has ended.

To Lieut. Wm. Geo. Skyring,

His Majesty's sloop Beagle.

In obedience to the orders I have received from Captain King, it is my direction that you put yourself under the orders of Lieut. Skyring, and proceed with him as he may think best for the execution of the service upon which he is ordered, and in which you will give him every assistance that you can afford.