EIDER DUCKS, AND PLANTS. 519 



we returned hurriedly to the boat and rowed along the 

 coast southward. Later on we thought it advisable to 

 put up our sail, and with the help of the oars to cross to 

 the other side, where Lieutenant Payer landed, bent on a 

 geological expedition along the shore. 



Ice-blocks were now more numerous, though they did 

 not hinder our progress. Here we saw a curious sight ; 

 a whole flock of eider ducks in a row upon the water, 

 fishing and cleaning themselves; they were nearly all 

 drakes, but one or two had brown plumage. Similar 

 flocks of eider drakes have been often noticed. It is 

 supposed that they take flight together in a northerly 

 direction, as later in the year they are not seen. 



By noon we reached Cape Borlase Warren in bright 

 sunshine, and our excursions began. This cape forms a 

 slight ridge, rising by degrees to the high mountains of 

 the interior ; the distant slopes to the east were sparingly 

 covered with grass, whilst on the southern bank, between 

 and under the rocks, grew the thickest and most vigorous 

 grass. Here was now a new real sea-shore plant, the 

 thick-leaved star-wort, Helianthus jpeyloides, reminding 

 us vividly of our German downs. Like the Gochlearia, 

 however, it did not grow exactly on the shore, but higher 

 up on the bank. Our zoological collection was also 

 increased by a long-tailed duck (Harelda glacialis), shot 

 by Mr. Tramnitz; there were also numerous relics of 

 the natives, tent-rings, and some ruined graves. Upon 

 closer inspection we found two more winter huts and 

 some undisturbed graves ; amongst which we for the first 

 time came upon one divided by a low partition wall into 

 two parts, from both of which we took the well-preserved 

 skull of a seven-year old child, and some bones ; we also 



