220 TIKRRA DEL FUEGO. [CHAP. xi. 



CHAPTER XI. 



Strait of Magellan Port Famine Ascent of Mount Tarn Forests 

 Edible Fungus Zoology Groat Sea-weed Leave Tierra del Fuego 

 Climate Fruit-trees and Productions of the Southern Coasts Height 

 of Snow-line on the Cordillera Descent of Glaciers to the Sea Icebergs 

 formed Transportal of Boulders Climate and Productions of the 

 Antarctic Islands Preservation of Frozen Carcasses Recapitulation. 



STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. CLIMATE OF THE SOUTHERN COASTS. 



Ix the end of May, 1834, we entered for the second time the eastern 

 mouth of the Strait of Magellan. The country on both sides of 

 this part of the Strait consists of nearly level plains, like those 

 of Patagonia. Cape Negro, a little within the second Narrows, 

 may be considered as the point where the land begins to assume 

 the marked features of Tierra del Fuego. On the east coast, south 

 of the Strait, broken park-like scenery in a like manner connects 

 these two countries, Avhich are opposed to each other in almost 

 every feature. It is truly surprising to find in a space of twenty 

 miles such a change in the landscape. If we take a rather greater 

 distance, as between Port Famine and Gregory Bay, that is about 

 sixty miles, the difference is still more wonderful. At the former 

 place, we have rounded mountains concealed by impervious forests, 

 which are drenched with the rain, brought by an endless succession 

 of gales ; while at Cape Gregory, there is a clear and bright blue 

 sky over the dry and sterile plains. The atmospheric currents,* 



* The south-westerly breezes are generally very dry. January 29th, 

 being at anchor under Cape Gregory: a very hard gale from W. by S., 

 clear sky with few cumuli ; temperature 57, dew-point 36, difference 

 21. On January loth, at Port St. Julian: in the morning, light winds 

 with much rain, followed by a very heavy squall with rain, settled into 

 h(-avy gale with large cumuli, cleared up, blowing very strong from 

 S.S.W. Temperature 60, dew-paint 42, difference 18. 



