CHAPTER XI. 



(1.) Departure from Sydney. Antarctic Expedition. Macquarrie Island. — (2." 

 Discovery of the Antarctic Continent. Return of the Squadron. — (!j 

 Discoveries of other Navigators. Biscoe. Balleny. Dumont d'Urvillr 

 (4.) Ross' Voyages. Volcanic Mountains. Cruise of the Pagoda — (5.) 

 Results of the different Expeditions.— (6.) Supposed Geological Structure 

 of the Antarctic Continent. — (7.) Icebergs. Aurora Australis. — (8.) Vege- 

 table and Animal Life. — (9.) Rendezvous of the American Squadron at the 

 Bay of Islands. 



(1.) The American Exploring Squadron was detained at 

 Sydney for a long time, in making the necessary repairs, and 

 completing the outfits, requisite for the service of the vessel* 

 in the high southern latitudes whither they were bound. 

 And even when orders were finally issued to get ready for 

 sea, much remained undone that might have promoted the 

 health and comfort of the crews, and rendered the expedition 

 more productive in results. In truth, the vessels belonging 

 to the squadron were not originally calculated for a cruise in 

 the Antarctic regions, and they were not strong enough of 

 build, nor sufficiently fortified, to make their way in safety 

 through the ice-packs which they were expected to encoun- 

 ter. They were poorly supplied, too, with anti-scorbutics, 

 and other necessaries and conveniences, the want of which 

 was seriously felt during the whole voyage. The officers in 

 command were well aware of the deficiency in their prepara- 

 tions, yet the season was now far advanced ; from one cause 

 or another they had been behind time ever since they left 

 home; and further delay, at Ibis juncture, was entirely out 

 of the question. Wisely, therefore, and from the most com- 

 mendable motives, they determined that no trifling difficul- 



