Voyage of C apt. Sir James C. Ross to the Antarctic. 317 



twenty fathoms, and the next day none at six hundred fathoms ; 

 so suddenly does the water deepen to the south on leaving the 

 bank. 



April 13. — The variation of the compass increased to 30° W. 



April 21. — Prince Edwards Island between 49° and 50° 

 south. Near the East Cape, the lead brought up from eighty-six 

 fathoms, fine sand, coral and corallines. The coast was composed 

 of black, perpendicular volcanic cliffs, much worn by the action 

 of the waves. His;h mountains in the interior of the island were 



partially covered Avith snow. 



Penguins, in groups of many thousands each, peopled the 

 shore, and some fur seals were playing in the surf In Posses- 

 sion Island, one of Crozet's grolip, called also Penguin Island, the 

 Penguins crowned all the ledges of its rugged shores. The sur- 

 face rose into mountain masses of volcanic rock with curiously 

 shaped pinnacles and no appearance of vegetation. 



Swine in vast numbers occupy Pig Island, so called from its 

 four-footed inhabitants, whose ancestors had been left there by 

 Capt. Distance in 1834. In six years they had multiplied aston- 

 ishingly, although vast numbers are killed by sealers for immedi- 

 ate use and for salting for their voyages. Goats also in conside- 

 rable numbers were found on Possession Island, having been left 

 there by American navigators. 



On East Island, there was a party of eleven men engaged hi 

 hunting the sea-elephant, a gigantic seal : they had plenty of food 

 and were contented. The tongue, flippers and part of the car- 

 case of the sea-elephant are eaten by them. Their boots were 

 made of the skins of the penguin, with the feathers turned in- 

 ward. They were far more filthy than Esquimaux, their appa- 

 rel being perfectly soaked with oil and smelling most offensively. 

 They find abundance of rock-fish ; and the eggs of sea-birds may 



lri the proper season, be collected in boat loads. The egg of the 





albatross weighs over a pound. Wild ducks are so numerous 

 that trained dogs capture them in any number when they are 

 Wanted. 



This group of islands is of volcanic origin, and about the tops of 

 some of the hills basaltic pillars were visible. East Island, although 

 fiot more than three or four miles in diameter, rises at least four 

 thousand feet, and the precipitous shores are several hull ired feet 

 iu elevation. Off the capes there are detached rocks, p ig half 

 a mile out to sea : one is called from its appearance the ship-rock, 

 another the ctmrch-rock, and so on ; and one west of the North 

 Cape of Poss< sion Island, is perforated, so that it is said a vessel 



taay pass through it. 



May 3— Lat 47° 17' S., long. 58° 50' E.— The first antarc- 

 tic ice was seen, only twenty feet out of water, but giving strong 

 premonition of coming scenes. 



