A WET DAY. 259 



ledge of the coasts of the Straits of Magellan and of 

 the Channels of Patagonia than any other living man. 

 The conversation was animated, and not seldom turned 

 on the topography of this region ; but the worthy 

 Teuton sat obstinately silent, or, when directly ap- 

 pealed to, generally answered by a single monosyllable 

 of assent or negation. A superficial observer would 

 have set this down as evidence of a surly or misan- 

 thropic disposition, but in truth this worthy man is 

 noted for good nature and a ready disposition to oblige 

 his neighbours. Having accepted the governor's offer 

 of a horse for an excursion on the following day, I 

 departed with the other guests, and once again enjoyed 

 the view of the southern heavens undefiled by a single 

 cloud, and found the mud of the streets frozen hard. 



The dawn of June 12 was again cloudless, and 

 the circle of the red sun, distorted by refraction, rose 

 over the flats of Tierra del Fuego. But in less than 

 a quarter of an hour heavy leaden clouds gathered 

 from all sides and portended a stormy day. I felt 

 rather unwell, and resolved to postpone my intended 

 excursion to the following day. After the needful 

 care given to my plant-collections, I repaired to the 

 hospitable sitting-room of Dr. Fenton, which was, I 

 believe, the only moderately warm spot at Punta 

 Arenas, and passed the day in his company, or that of 

 Mrs. Fenton and their pretty and intelligent children. 

 The heavy rain which persisted nearly all day 

 diminished my regret at having to remain indoors. 

 I made a few notes of the varied information which 

 I obtained from a gentleman who has had unusual 

 opportunities for acquiring knowledge, and who, 



