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Darwin Joins the Voyage
Charles Darwin, at age 22, joined Captain FitzRoy on the HMS Beagle to begin the voyage as the captain's assistant. -
Cape Verde Islands
Darwin decides to document the geology of the countries they would visit based on his first observations in the Cape Verde Islands. -
Crossing the Equator
Darwin is shaved on the ship by the constable by force after crossing the equator. -
Salvador, Brazil
Once docking in Salvador Darwin studied and recorded his findings of the vegetation, grasses, parasitical plants, and the flowers he found located in Brazil. -
Punta Alta, Argentina
Darwin finds many different bones and fossils of animals located in Argentina. He believes many of the bones to be from new species of animals that he did not know about. -
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Captain FitzRoy repatriates three natives that he took to England during a previous trip. His attempt to start a Christian mission failed. -
Falkland Islands
Although the islands first appeared barren to Darwin, he is able to find brachiopod fossils within rocks that he opened. -
Rio Negro, Argentina
Darwin explored the Pampas, fertile lowlands, with the native gauchos. He came to enjoy their style of life that they lived. -
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Chiloe Island, Chile
While there Darwin experienced the eruption of Mount Osorno and an earthquake near Valdivia. The earthquake impacted Darwin very much afterwards. -
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Galapagos Islands
Darwin found many new species of plants and animals, that were related to the mainland species, on the islands. He was particularly interested in the Galapagos tortoises, so much so he rode on one. The marine iguana was the only one he found that swam and ate in the ocean. He also discovered the blue-footed book birds that lack defensive behaviors. Darwin later found out in England that a group of Galapagos birds that he thought included many types were all finches. -
Sydney, Australia
After arriving Darwin was fascinated with the marsupials, and questioned why Australia has a different set of mammals in Australia. He is also proud of how Australia had developed and gave the credit to England. -
Cocos Islands
Darwin studied the coral reefs around the island in order to study his theory of atoll formation. -
Mauritius
Darwin observed the coastline while on a walk along the coast. He noticed the areas was uncultivated and was black lava that was smoothed over with coarse grass and bushes. He believed the greatest part was the mimosas. -
Cape Town, South Africa
Darwin first noticed the number of bullock wagons located on the island. He then described Table Mountain as a great mass of of horizontally stratified sandstones. -
Bahia and Pernambuco, South America
Darwin had grown homesick and tired of the voyage during this time. However, he was amazed by the many different creatures he was able to observe in the jungles. -
Falmouth, England
Darwin reach England and was overjoyed to be home after 5 years. The living conditions on the boat were cramped and not comfortable.
