Mr Scouler's Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. 209 



by steep hills, and then shoot them. In killing the goats, a 

 different method is adopted. The people employed in this 

 difficult business lie down in those rocky situations which the 

 goats frequent, and when they approach the hunters, their ham- 

 strings are cut with a sharp knife. 



Juan Fernandez is entirely destitute of lizards and ser- 

 pents, at least we never saw any. 



The rocky shores afford a safe retreat to the Cape petrels and 

 other sea-fowls which abound near the island, so that it was in 

 vain we attempted to reach their nests. The only land-birds we 

 saw were pigeons and owls. The former are exceedingly abun- 

 dant, especially in the vicinity of the corn-fields, from which 

 they probably obtain their chief support. The owls are of small 

 size, and by no means abundant ; they appear to be confined 

 to the more secluded places, at a distance from the shore. 



The bay abounds in fishes, which are to be procured with 

 very little trouble, so that, if the visitor fails in procuring 

 cattle, he may at all events depend on a plentiful supply of 

 fresh provisions. Our limited time did not allow us to examine 

 the different fish we caught with sufficient care; but the most 

 common, and by far the best, is the cod (Gadus morhua ;) 

 the next in frequency is the lump-fish (Cyclopterus lumpus,) 

 which is seen adhering to almost every stone; and this help- 

 less animal becomes a ready prey to the seal and the sea-fowls. 

 The articulated animals are the most plentiful on this island; 

 and although we saw few insects, I have every reason to 

 believe they are exceedingly numerous at a more advanced 

 period of the year, for almost every vegetable had its pecu- 

 liar caterpillar feeding on it. Near the shore we found seve- 

 ral kinds of crab, and the deep water abounded in a beautiful 

 species of lobster, which may be described in a future paper. 



The antennae were as long as the body, which is of a fine 

 red colour, and thickly set with strong sharp spines. The 

 difficulty of obtaining this animal, from the quickness with 

 whieh it swims, and the trouble of laying hold of it from its 

 sharp spines, rendered it an interesting specimen. 



At low water we found some species of corallines and spon- 

 ges, and a sea-star (Astcrias,) furnished with from twenty-five 

 to thirty-eight rays. 



4 



