I only have one main inspiration as to why I became the naturalist I am today. This man is my good friend and mentor Professor John Stevens Henslow. Our friendship began in 1828 at Cambridge University. Not only did this good-natured academic and clergyman teach me much of his scientific technique, but he also arranged a place for his favorite pupil aboard HMS Beagle. Without him I wouldn't have found any of those species during my travels. You would still be wondering who/how did we evolve into these creatures we call humans and how did all of these different species of animals come to be so closely related.
My Inspirations
I only have one main inspiration as to why I became the naturalist I am today. This man is my good friend and mentor Professor John Stevens Henslow. Our friendship began in 1828 at Cambridge University. Not only did this good-natured academic and clergyman teach me much of his scientific technique, but he also arranged a place for his favorite pupil aboard HMS Beagle. Without him I wouldn't have found any of those species during my travels. You would still be wondering who/how did we evolve into these creatures we call humans and how did all of these different species of animals come to be so closely related.
My Prediction (plants)
When I first saw this beautiful orchid from Madagascar, Angraecum sesquipedale, in 1862. Its foot-long green throat holds sweet nectar. I was so puzzled on what insect/animal can suck it. Then I predicted that Madagascar must be home to an insect with an incredibly long feeding tube, or proboscis. No such insect had ever been found there on this island. I discovered the giant hawk moth, which hovers like a hummingbird as its long, whip-like proboscis probes for the distant nectar. On that day I knew I would be discovering things that nobody has ever herd of.
My Findings
I filled in many tablets with careful observations about animals, plants and geology while also collecting 1000`s of specimens which I put in crates and brought home with me for further study. I also got the privilege of witnessing Mount Osomo erupt while on the island of Chiloe. Really the earthquake after the eruption did more damage decreasing the size of the island. In the Galapagos islands I find so many species of plants, birds and tortoises unique to the island but they seem closely related to the mainland species. I was fascinated and amused as to how big the Galapagos tortoises were. They were so big that I actually got on top of one and started riding one. After experiencing that and learning all those new things I didn't know before I would say that the "Beagle voyage was the most important event in my life".
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