Fisldng in the Cratcr-hcmv . 297 



sea-swallow (stoma) not hitherto described, the bill and feet of 

 which are of a coral-red colour, and delicate silver-grey plum- 

 age, undoubtedly the most beautiful of the feathered inhabit- 

 ants, as the penguin is the most extraordinary and peculiar 

 creature on the island. Besides these there is also a pretty 

 grey diver (Prion Vittatus)^ which builds its nest among the 

 rocks ; also a brown gull ( Stercorarius antarctiGus\ as also 

 three kinds of albatrosses {Diomedea exulans, D. fuliginosat 

 D. chlororMnclios). 



The Crater-basin was somewhat less unproductive than the 



dry land. The depth is from 100 to 175 feet. Close to the 



edge, the sounding line gave a depth of 10 fathoms (GO feet). 



Experiments with the dredging-net, although frequently made, 



gave by no means satisfactory results. On the other hand, the 



rod and line brought up many an interesting addition to our 



collection, and frequent strolls at ebb-tide along the barely 



uncovered masses of rock that skirted the basin of the crater 



were rewarded with numerous discoveries of specimens of 



conchology. In the centre of the basin we came upon slimy 



ground at a depth of 204 feet ; near the hot springs (about 100 



feet distant), 19 fathoms (114 feet); and at a third point, on the 



south side, 23 fathoms (138 feet). Viot said, that after repeated 



soundings at different points, he had found the depth of the 



basin varied from 10 to 35 fathoms (60 to 210 feet). The 



seals {Arctocephalus Falclandicus) of which, according to 



Macartney, at the end of last century, thousands daily came to 



the coast of the island to bask in the sun, have almost entirely 



