1845.] KOREAN ARCHIPELAGO. 351 



for the variety in the races of beings, which were found 

 assembled. This will further account for the low state 

 of cultivation, as no individual would take that interest 

 in improving a soil, upon which his descendants would 

 possess no interest, and from which he would possibly be 

 removed at the expiration of his term of banishment. 



The position in the Sandy Bay of Beaufort Island was 

 determined to be in Lat. 33 29 / 40"N., Long. 126 53' 

 5" E., Var. 2 30' 33" W. The geological features of the 

 islands are decidedly volcanic, the entire southern side 

 being either close grained grey, or greenish basalt, or a 

 scoriaceous tufa. The appearance of the highest peak, 

 when free from clouds, appeared to be the lip of a small 

 crater, but from the abundance of trees, nearly to the 

 crater edge, long since dormant. 



On the 1 5th we took a temporary leave of our friends 

 at Quelpart, and steered a northerly course on our now 

 bond fide voyage of discovery, into the Korean Archipelago. 

 We had, indeed, charts of this region, but they were of 

 as much use as one of the Antarctic Regions, would be to 

 show where icebergs might be looked for. One comfort we 

 retained, and no doubt many of my readers will smile 

 when I state that we continued to feel the bottom with 

 the lead-line. This is, however, an important relief to 

 one navigating a sea so studded with reefs, islets, and 

 islands, as that of Korea. Our object at present was like 

 that of the dove from the ark, to seek the first dry, or 

 secure spot, on which to fix our first position, and this at 

 8 o'clock the following morning, was obtained on an 

 isolated reef, affording us, in addition to innumerable 

 distant islets, the command of a very interesting group, 

 distant about three miles ; some of its islets, crowned 



