SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS. 159 



•closely scattered along the entire north-west coast of the 

 chain, while the south coast is almost entirely free from 

 them. The different depths correspond to this diversity, 

 for in the north-west among the cliffs they indicate the 

 existence of an extensive shallow sea, soundings showing 

 a depth of only 500 feet at a distance of ten miles from 

 land. 



Proceeding from north-east to south-west the first 

 island is King George's Island, the largest of all, about 

 fifty-five miles long and sixteen miles broad at its widest 

 part. Unfortunately, very little is known of this island, 

 or indeed of any other of the group. The south coast is 

 comparatively high and rocky, but seems to have no 

 elevation of any importance, as 750 to 1,000 feet are given 

 as approximate measurements. Towards the north and 

 east the land gradually descends, and in this direction 

 a few small brooks, already observed by Smith and 

 Bellingshausen, find their way from thawing ice and snow. 

 The greater heights are covered with snow, and probably 

 send down glaciers, but no mention is made of these. 

 Several favourable bays and harbours are found, especially 

 on the south side, while the north coast is rendered 

 insecure by its numerous cliffs. It would lead us too far 

 to name all the harbours and anchoring grounds sought 

 out and named by the seal-hunters of the earlier part of 

 the century, especially as their positions have not all been 

 correctly ascertained and verified. 



Field Straits separate this island from Nelson Island, 

 a smaller island of whose structure and characteristics 

 nothing is known. Nelson Straits divide it from the 

 still smaller Robert Island, which rises from north to 

 south like King George's Island and is probably lofty. 

 The same description applies to Greenwich Island lying 

 between English Straits on the east and MacFarlane 

 .Straits on the west, with a somewhat uneven surface. 

 All these islands are thickly covered with snow even in 



