NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE. :33:j 



appearance of the whole is extremely grand, and the marked contrast between the black- 

 ness of the rocks and the bright yellow green of the rank vegetation clothing all the 

 lower region of the land, so characteristic of all these so-called Antarctic [glands, renders 



the general effect in fine weather very beautiful. 



The observing parties were fortunate enough to obtain on the same day all the obser- 

 vations required at Christmas Harbour, for, although the morning was cloudy, the sun 

 was visible nearly the whole day after 8 a.m. From the summit of Table Mountain, 

 in the forenoon, the mountain ranges on the east end of the island, distant 50 miles, 

 were distinctly visible, but before angles to them could be obtained the clouds hid them 

 from view. The scud was flying fast over the land, and occasionally enveloped the 

 surveying party on the summit of Table Mountain for a short time, whilst all the islands 

 to leeward appeared free from mist. The islands to the northwest, named by Cook the 

 Cloudy Islands (a very significant appellation), were enveloped in thick mist, so much 

 so that it was only by remaining five hours on the summit of the hill, and watching for 

 breaks in the mist, that the recpiisite angles were obtained to their summits and salient 

 points. This was probably the first time an angle had been obtained to Bligh's Cap from 

 Table Mountain. It was with surprise that Cook was found to be considerably (nearly 

 two points) out in his bearing of Bligh's Cap from Cape Francois. 



Magnetic observations were obtained on the beach at the head of Christmas Harbour 

 on Ross' old observing spot. The astronomical observations were taken on the east side 

 of a low bluff on the north coast of the harbour, close to the beach head. 



On the 8th January, at 5 a.m., the Challenger left Christmas Harbour for Accessible 

 Bay in a snow-storm, making sail and banking the fires when outside the harbour. The 

 day was cloudy and bleak, with a fresh northwest wind and occasional showers of snow, but 

 little or no mist. After passing between Swain Island and Howe's Foreland, which being 

 unmistakably an island will in future be called " Howe Island," a line of soundings 

 was carried and angles taken to all the salient points of the coast, to facilitate the 

 construction of a chart after a sufficient number of stations for triangulation had 

 been taken up. Here groups of rocks were seen on both bows ; those to the north- 

 ward, about 6 feet high, were named " Glass Rocks," and those to the southward 

 " Bird Rocks," after two of Ross's officers. Large patches of Kelp surrounded the 

 Bird Rocks, extending some considerable distance seaward from them. At noon Mount 

 Campbell and the Chimney Top Hill to the southward were sighted. The former 

 is a remarkable hill, 4G0 feet high, in shape somewhat like a truncated cone, standing 

 alone in a plain of considerable extent, and when once seen cannot be mistaken. 

 The Chimney Top, 2400 feet high, is apparently a basaltic mass on one of the peaks of a 

 considerable range of hills, the highest point of which (Mount Crozier) rises to a height 

 of 3250 feet above the level of the sea. After passing the Bird Rocks, a course was 

 shaped towards the small and low Kent Islands, which were sighted at 3 p.m., and 



