OF THE ANTARCTIC VOYAGE. 261 
this tribe are generally more coriaceous; especially a yellow 
one, that there forms bright patches on the cliffs. In the 
caves, also, on the coast, a light red species is so abundant as 
to tinge such situations with that hue, and many other sorts 
inhabit the rocks and their crevices. 
“ Sea-weeds are in enormous profusion; especially two 
large species, the Macrocystis pyrifera and Laminaria ra- 
diata (?). The former forms a broad green belt to the whole 
island (so far as seen), of 20 or 30 yards, within 20 feet or 
so from the shore. Here the branches are so entangled, 
that it is sometimes impossible to pulla boat through the 
mass; and should any accident occur outside this girdle of 
sea-weed, its presence would form an insurmountable obstacle 
to the best swimmer's ever reaching land. On the beach, 
the effect of the surf, beating it up and down, affords a very 
pretty appearance, but not so striking as is the view, from a 
slight elevation, of the Bay, with this olive-green band run- 
ning round it. The sea-birds, when on the water, always 
fly over or dive under it, to re-appear on the other side. The 
Laminaria hangs down from every rock within reach of the 
tide; its digitate fronds, of a very thick coriaceous consistence 
and of great weight, are perpetually in movement from the 
lashing of the surf, and yet, thanks to their sliminess and 
Strength, always uninjured. It protects thousands of Lim- 
pets, that would otherwise be exposed to the attacks of the — 
gulls and other sea-birds. To collect our food of Palelle 
Was often hard labour, as we had to remove the. tough 
heavy masses of this weed to get at them? . A 
Such were the firstimpressions, made upon the botanist, by 
. the vegetation of Kerguelen's Island, which a two and a half 
months’ stay gave pretty good opportunities of investigating ; 
and the specimens sent home to the Admiralty testify that the 
time was not idly spent. That it should have been prac- 
ticable to have gathered them, with flower and. fruit in the- 
Very middle of winter, shows a great peculiarity in the * 
climate. "Phe latitude of this island, in the Southern Hemi- 
FO be Xf T deum 
