294 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



of Marion Island, but the deep water extended so close to the shore that it was deemed 

 unadvisable to anchor, although it was concluded that it would be practicable to do so in 

 case of necessity. At 9 a.m. observing and exploring parties were landed, each member of 

 the latter being provided with a heavy stick, as it was expected that Fur Seals might be 

 met with. The day was fine, and equal altitudes, circummeridian altitudes, true bearings, 

 and magnetic observations for declination were obtained, whilst the ship took up stations 

 between the two islands, and sounded and dredged ; the position of the ship being fixed 

 by bearings and masthead angles from the observing station at each sounding, at which 

 time angles and bearings were taken from the ship to objects on shore. 



On the shore near the observing station, the remains of huts with a few cooking 

 utensils, some tubs, and iron work were found scattered about. One of these huts was 

 built in a cave, the other on the open ground close to a Penguin rookery. They had 

 evidently been occupied by parties landed from whaling and sealing vessels engaged in 

 the fishery, and used in making Penguin oil. As the boat pulled on shore, cormorants 

 flew about overhead in numbers. A gull also was common, probably the same as at 

 Kerguelen Island (Larus dominicanus). The Giant Petrel or "Break-bones" (Ossifraga 

 gigantea) was also wheeling about over the water, and also a few large Albatrosses. As 

 the boat neared the beach a bird, like a small white hen, was seen eyeing the party inquis- 

 itively from the black rocks, against which a considerable swell was washing. This bird 

 was the " Sheath-bill" (Chionis minor), so frequently met with afterwards in Kerguelen 

 Island. 



A female Elephant Seal was met with on the shore, which was killed forthwith, under 

 the impression that it was a Fur Seal. The ruthless manner in which Fur and Elephant 

 Seals were destroyed by the sealing parties in tbe early part of this century has had 

 the effect of almost exterminating the colony that used these desolate islands for 

 breeding purposes. 



The walking on shore was extremely tiring ; the bank was steep and the sod satu- 

 rated with moisture, consisting of a black slimy mud with holes everywhere full of water. 

 The thick rank herbage concealed these treacherous places, and the ground was covered 

 with Azorella tufts, which gave way under the feet and rendered progression excessively 

 wearying. Further, the sun coming out bright and hot every now and then made the 

 party, who had gone on shore thickly clad, perspire very freely. 



The large White Albatross or " Goney " (Diomedea exulans) had been seen from 

 the ship as she steamed in towards the landing place, but now they could be examined 

 more closely, for there were many of them all around. They were scattered irregularly 

 all over the green in pairs, looking in the distance not unlike geese on a common 

 (see PI. XIV.). Their nests are in the style of those of the Mollymauks (see pp. 

 265, 266), but much larger, raised from the ground, and a foot and a half at 

 least in diameter at the top. They are made of tufts of grass and moss, with 



