FAITNA AJSTD FLORA OF THE FALKLAIS^DS. 359 



72*3°F. and the temperature of the air, ten minutes after sunset, 

 65 -6°^. 



During this jjart of the voyage I was fortunate in enjoying 

 the society of a gentleman, whose name I have unfortunately 

 forgotten, who had spent several years travelling in Patagonia, 

 Chili, and Brazil ; and who gave me much information relating 

 to the Zoology of Patagonia. On hearing I was interested in 

 natural history, he kindly gave me some shells and stones he 

 had picked up on the shores along the mouth of the river 

 Chupat. On examining this collection, I was pleased to iind 

 several specimens of Chione alhida, a common hivalue of the 

 Falklands, and some large water-worn specimens of Trophon 

 gervevsinus another well-known Falkland moUusk. The remaining 

 shells were unrecognizable, being hopelessly damaged. 



Amongst other interesting particulars, this gentleman told 

 me that Cape Pigeons {Baption Capensis) never range even to 

 the north of the Falkland archipelago during the suramer and 

 autumn ; as they invariably frequent the Horn for breeding 

 purposes during these times. 



The morning of the 24th being fine, and as the coals could 

 not all be taken on board till the afternoon, I spent the greater 

 part of the day on shore, mostly in the market and botanical 

 gardens, both of which are near the landing stages. I was 

 astonished to see boxes of snails, probably Helix hortensis, in 

 the market. These moUusks are not indigenous to Uruguay, 

 but were introduced many years ago, and now abound in the 

 gardens round Montevideo. There was not much variety of fruit 

 on sale. The apples were very poor and without a single 

 exception were penetrated by one or more grubs. The pears 

 were excellent, being juicy and well flavoured, and were quite 

 free from this pest. 



I quite enjoyed a ramble in the small but well kept botanical 

 garden ; the only flowers in full bloom being some oleanders. . 



It was odd to see in grocers' shops, dried specimens of a 

 large Octopus, probably Octopus rugosus. I was told that these 

 moUusks are caught in numbers by the fishermen and afterwards 

 being split and dried are sold thus for domestic use with tea, 

 sugar, and other groceries. 



