T H E P A C I F I C O C E A N. 53 



proach, we found it to be two iflands. That which lies ^ '7/6. 



December. 



moii to the South, and is alfo the largeft, I judged to be 

 about fifteen leagues in circuit ; and to be in the latitude of 

 46° 53' South, and in the longitude of 37° 46' Eaft. The 

 moft Northerly one is about nine leagues in circuit ; and 

 lies in the latitude of 46° 40' South, and in 38° 8' Eaft. longi- 

 tude. The diftance from the one to the other is about five 

 leagues. 



We palled through this channel, at equal diftance from 

 both iflands; and could not difcover, with the affiftance of 

 our befl: glafles, either tree or flirub on either of them. 

 They feemed to have a rocky and bold fliore ; and, except- 

 ing the South Eaft: parts, where the land is rather low and 

 flat, a furface compofed of barren mountains, which rife to 

 a confiderable height, and whofe fummits and fides were 

 covered with fnow, which in many places feeraed to be of a 

 confiderable depth. The South Eaft parts had a much' 

 greater quantity on them than the reftj owing, probably> 

 to the Sun ading for a lefs fpace of time on thefe than on' 

 the North and North Weft: parts. The ground, where it 

 was not hid by the fnow, from the various fliades it exhi- 

 bited, may be fuppofed to be covered with mofs, or, per- 

 haps, fuch a coarfe grafs as is found in fome parts of Falk- 

 land's Iflands. On the North fide of each of the iflands is a- 

 detached rock : that near the South ifland is fhaped like a. 

 tower, and feemed to be at fome diftance from the fliore. 

 As we pafled. along, a quantity of fea-weed was feen, and 

 the colour of the water indicated foundings. But there was- 

 no appearance of an inlet, unlefs near the rock juft men- 

 tioned ; and that, from its fmallnefs, did not promife a good': 

 anchoring-place. 



Thefe. 



