176 THE ANTARCTIC. 



as an evidence of a recent negative change in the coast 

 (a rise of the land) it is as yet impossible to determine, 

 but it is worthy of note as corresponding to similar finds 

 in the South Shetland Islands. It is to be regretted that 

 Donald had no opportunity of examining the rock near 

 Dundee Island, and that of Cape Alexander, for decided 

 opinions might then have been arrived at concerning the 

 structure of the two islands which seem so closely con- 

 nected. So much, however, may be affirmed, that the 

 inclined strata observed by Donald on Cape Alexander 

 — provided they are composed of crystalline slate or 

 precipitate rock — decidedly point to structural disturbances 

 such as are very likely to occur in the neighbourhood of 

 volcanoes. 



Of the smaller islands surrounding Joinville Island, 

 Paulet Island, some 720 to 750 feet high, the south- 

 eastern continuation of Dundee Island, as also a hitherto 

 unnamed island 300 feet high to the west of Dundee 

 Island, show only a comparatively slight covering of 

 snow. The brownish-green hue noticed in Dundee 

 Island is met with in both. Larsen indeed relates that 

 on his visit the first island, which gave him the impression 

 of being a volcano, was quite free from snow ; according 

 to his account it descends almost perpendicularly on the 

 north-east and is brick-red. The Danger Islands seem 

 more deeply covered with snow, except where the 

 descents are too precipitous. Etna Island farther north 

 is also thickly covered with snow. 



The accounts of the much larger Louis-Philippe Land 

 are far less complete and satisfactory than those available 

 for an acquaintance with Joinville Island. Louis-Philippe 

 Land is conjectured to be the largest member of the Dirk 

 Gerritz Archipelago, but complete ignorance still reigns 

 as to its western coast. The northernmost point, the 

 point also nearest to Joinville Island, is Mount Bransfield, 

 in about latitude 63° 7' S. and longitude 56° 55' W. 



