MOUNTAINOUS CHARACTER. 133 



lightly poised, that the smallest additional weight 

 precipitates them to the bottom of the hill. I 

 have already described the difficulty of the as- 

 cent of Rotge Hill ; the same difficulty we found 

 to beset the ascents in other parts of the coast. 

 This impediment did not escape the notice of 

 early navigators, some of whom lost their lives 

 in their endeavour to overcome it. Martens, 

 speaking upon this subject, recommends chalking 

 the footsteps during the ascent, in order that 

 the "descent may be more easy and certain, and 

 others have had recourse to various expedients. 

 But, how far these recommendations are to be 

 followed it is not my intention to inquire ; I 

 mention the circumstance merely to show, that 

 the unusual precipitancy of the elevations has 

 incurred general observation. 



The summits of the mountains, which form 

 an extensive range, traversing the island in a 

 north and south direction, terminate in remark- 

 ably sharp peaks, from which, as I have else- 

 where observed, the island has derived its name. 

 The lateral ridges which branch off from this 

 great chain are less pointed, and sometimes par- 

 take of the appearance of a house-top, of which 

 there is a remarkable instance on the north side 

 of Magdalena Bay. These ridges, however, are 

 sufficiently surmounted by peaks to form a strong 



