Tonight, we’ll read from the sixth chapter of British naturalist Charles Darwin’s “The Voyage of the Beagle”. This chapter explores more of Darwin’s journey from Bahia Blanca to Buenos Aries. He reflects on the landscape, vegetation, and wildlife of the region, which is marked by vast, desolate plains and dry shrubland. Darwin notes the scarcity of water, the presence of thorny bushes, and the occasional sighting of wildlife like armadillos. He also encounters the indigenous people of the area and reflects on their customs and ways of life, contrasting them with those of European settlers. This chapter captures his growing curiosity and sense of discovery, as he observes and analyzes the natural history of South America with scientific enthusiasm.

“The Voyage of the Beagle” is the title most commonly given to the book published in 1839 as Darwin’s “Journal and Remarks”, bringing him considerable fame and respect. If you’d like to start from the beginning, the first of this series aired on June 10th, 2024, and the most recent episode prior to this one, in August of 2024.

‍