102 THE VOYAGE : PASSING IMPKESSIONS 



cases they seem to form part of the rock which, from its exces- 

 sive toughness and hardness, almost defies any attempt to 

 procure specimens that can be satisfactory. But it is at the 

 tops of the hills that they assume the appearance of a minia- 

 ture forest on the flat rocks, and nothing can be prettier than 

 the large species with broad black apothecia that covers all 

 the stones at an elevation of from 1000-1500 feet. A smaller 

 species like a little oak-tree grows in spreading tufts also 

 upon stones, and is of a delicate lilac color. Near the sea 

 they are generally more coriaceous, especially a yellow one 

 that then- .forms bright yellow patches on the cliffs. In the 

 ca'ves, also near the sea, a light red one is so abundant as to 

 tinge 'such situations with that color, and many other dpecies 

 inhabit the rocks and their crevices. 



Seaweeds are in immense profusion, especially two large 

 species, the Macrocystis pyrifera 1 and the Laminaria radiata?; 

 the former of these forms a broad green belt to the whole 

 Island (as far as seen) of 8-20 yds. across within 20 feet or 

 so from the shore. Here its branches are so entangled that 

 it is sometimes impossible to pull a boat through it, and 

 should any accident occur outside of it, its presence would 

 prove an insurmountable obstacle to the best swimmers 

 reaching land. On the beach the effect of the surf beating 

 it up and down is very pretty, but not so striking as the view 

 from a little elevation, of a bay, with this olive green band 

 running round it. The sea birds, etc., when on the water, 

 always fly over or dive under to reappear on its other side. 

 The Laminaria hangs down from every rock within reach of 

 the tide, perpetually in motion from the lashing of the surf, 

 and yet from its shininess and strength always unhurt. I 

 think I may safely affirm that no other species in the vegetable 

 kingdom has so secure a rooting as this seaweed has on the 

 bare rock. I have often sat upon the cliff overhanging the 

 sea at the N.W. bay during a gale of wind, and watched the 

 surf break with terrific violence on the rocks, which are often 

 themselves detached and alternately brought backwards and 

 forwards by the swell and reflux with a deafening roar ; 

 still the coriaceous fronds of this weed are with impunity 



1 This ' is the only strictly Antarctic plant of the island, which floats alive 

 in the water and increases there like the Sargasso weed : hundreds of miles 

 from any land 64 South is the highest latitude in which I have seen it.' (To 

 Bentham, April 27, 1842.) 



