Re-embark. — Land a second Time. 329 



keeping closer in, we plainly saw small trees, which seemed 

 most to resemble forests of pine, as also what appeared to be 

 thick close brushwood of a light green colour, with which 

 large patches of the middle and lower slopes of the island were 

 covered. In vain did we watch for some spot in this singular 

 island at which we might land and climb ; at length, after 

 steering several miles further along the coast, and passing 

 several promontories advancing from the island, and numerous 

 isolated rocks, we came, towards 3.30 p.m., upon a number of 

 lava-blocks that had fallen from above, and, forming a sort of 

 dam or bulwark between the sea and the shore, seemed 

 to render disembarkation possible. The boat's anchor was 

 again dropped, and we proceeded to make for the shore by dint 

 of jumping, as before, from rock to rock ; a method of reach- 

 ing land more agreeable and better suited to penguins than 

 decorous philosophers ! 



Among the rocks on the strand lie fragments of ship- 

 wrecked vessels — pieces of masts and yards — dumb witnesses of 

 human disaster, and suffering, and death ! At this point the 

 shore was not very steep. The masses of rock piled here on 

 each other in wild confusion, made our ascent more practicable 

 than at our former landing-place, though perhaps they neces- 

 sitated greater circumspection. Dr. Hochstetter and M. 

 Zelebor, as also Lieutenant Kronowetter, and a sailor, started 

 for the height. A ridge, grown over with grass and rushes, 

 and forming a line of communication between the upper and 

 lower portions of the island, seemed the most accessible point. 



