152 



WHAT MR. DARWIN SAW. 



TIERRA DEL FUEGO. 



either hand, no object interrupted the perspective of this long 

 canal between the mountains. We sailed on till it was dark, 

 and then pitched our tents in a quiet creek on a beach of 

 pebbles, where, in our blanket-bags, we passed a most com- 

 fortable night. Early in the morning of the next day we 



MOUNTAINS AND GLACIERS IX MAGELLAN STRAITS. 



reached the point where the Beagle Channel divides into 

 two arms, and we entered the northern one. The scenery 

 here becomes even grander than before. The lofty moun- 

 tains on the north side, forming the granite axis or backbone 

 of the country, boldly rise to a height of between three and 

 four thousand feet, with one peak above six thousand feet. 

 They are covered by a wide mantle of perpetual snow, and 

 numerous cascades pour their waters through the woods into 

 the narrow channel below. In many parts magnificent gla- 

 ciers extend from the mountain side to the water's edge. It 



