The Falkland Islands. 329 



directly proportionate to the amount of gravity thus got rid 

 of, and is consequently susceptible of calculation. Although 

 the data collected during the voyage for widely different 

 purposes, and those now collected by means of the Aneroid, 

 do not realize the anticipations that had been formed, to the 

 length of utmost precision, the result has shown that much 

 may be achieved in this direction by observations easily 

 made in the course of a voyage even by ordinary navigators, 

 such as would greatly benefit science ; and captains of all 

 grades, who in the course of their voyages have occasion to 

 traverse these special latitudes, and are able to use good, re- 

 liable, thoroughly-tested instruments, might by a series of 

 such observations add materially to our acquaintance with 

 pliysical phenomena.* 



The Novara sailed into the Atlantic with fair strong winds, 

 and on 1st June was about the latitude of the Falklands,+ 



* We cannot help stating here that we think it far from unimportant, that when 

 employed to measure the altitude of prominent objects, the Aneroid may be made to 

 supply widely different results from those of the ordinary barometer, as the elimina- 

 tion of gravity in the Aneroid readings remains as a constant element, and hence the 

 difference between the two can only be rectified by due regard being had to this cir- 

 cumstance, when performing the requisite calculations. 



t This group, between ST and 53° S., and 57° and 62° W., comprises, besides the two 

 larger islands, 90 smaller islands, the superficial area of the whole being about 6000 

 square miles, or 3,840,000 acres. The summer temperature is 69°.8 Fahr. and that of 

 winter rarely falls below 30°.2 Fahr., so that the climate greatly resembles that of 

 Scotland in many respects. The islands present a cheerless aspect ; a rolling country 

 with peat soil, covered with rank grasses, and intersected by low ranges of hills, al- 

 ternating with marshy rivers and torrents. The lower part of the country is clay, 

 slate, and sandstone, covered with turf, which is used for fuel. Tussock grass 

 {Dactylis cespitosa) is the most common plant. 



