A Widely- Distributed Fish. 137 



resting fish {Neophrynicthys latus) was here obtained. It was 

 brought to me by one of our seamen, who found it lying dead on 

 the beach, and bearing marks of having been torn by vultures. 

 Of this fish, which was discovered by Mr. Hutton a few years ago 

 in New Zealand, Dr. Giinther says that it only differs from the 

 New Zealand specimen in colouration, and in the presence of 

 small tentacles, which are developed over the eye and on some 

 parts of the body. 



One day, when paddling round a small rocky islet, we saw 

 perched on a stone, and apparently sleeping, as it remained 

 motionless with bill resting on the stone, a large snipe {Gallinago 

 stricklandi), one of the very few examples of the species which 

 were observed during our cruise. It was shot and preserved. 



Two mammalians were also obtained at Swallow Bay. One 

 was the common Magellan otter {Lutra felind), the other a nutria 

 (Myopotamus coypu). 



On March 25 th, our supply of coal running short, it was decided 

 to conclude our survey of Magellan Straits, and to proceed north- 

 wards, vid Smyth's Channel, to Puerto Bueno. There we took 

 on board the residue of a depot of coal which had been made for 

 us during the previous season, and continued to pursue our way 

 northwards, stopping for the nights at various anchorages. On 

 April 2nd, we passed our old cruising ground in the Trinidad 

 Channel, and entered Wide Channel, proceeding from thence vid 

 Indian Reach. 



As we passed the entrance of Icy Inlet, we saw large patches 

 of loose berg-ice floating tranquilly over its surface, and evidently 

 derived from the glacier at its head. Contrary to our expecta- 

 tions, Eyre Sound was almost clear of ice, only a single small 

 floating piece being seen ; but to repay us for this disappointment 

 we had a fine view of the magnificent glacier at its head. 



Port Riofrio, ^rd to \oth of April. — We were detained for 

 a week at this port, while our surveyors were occupied in exam- 

 ining the rocks and islets of the neighbouring " Covadonga 



