January 1854 Port Jackson, N.S.W. 79 Preserved specimens of the animal of Nautilus pompilius, which, it seems is used as food by the natives of those islands. There were also many interesting minute shells, of the new order Omeilbranchiata, species of which they had taken abundantly in these seas. They used but little alcohol in their preservation of fishes etc., almost all their specimens being dried. I was surprised to find that their Government furnished them no Zoological library. I was ashore today for the last time, as the ship is now ready for sea. Her draft is 16 feet aft and 15.5 ft forward. 6th Today officers of the Herald, including the two surgeons I have mentioned, and afterward Mr Macgillivray visited our ship. With the latter gentleman I had a long and exceedingly interesting conversation. I find the lower marine animals of these seas have been little investigated, with the exception of Huxley's examinations of the Hydroid Polypi, and Mr M. advises me to publish many species which I have found in this harbor, as nothing has as yet been done in this field. Mr M.