KERGUELEN. 



61 



The Kerguelen mountains, all of igneous origin and either of columnar or 

 terrace formation, are not disposed in any regular system, although the main axis 

 runs on the whole in the direction from north-west to south-east. According to 

 the reports of the whalers, the underground forces are still active, and a 

 mountain in the south-west is said to emit vapours. Mount Ross, the highest 

 summit hitherto measured (6,100 feet), lies near the southern extremity of the 

 island, while the eastern and south-eastern peninsulas are respectively occupied 

 by Mounts Crozier (3,300 feet) and Wy ville Thomson (3,200 feet). Glaciers 



Fig. 22. — Keegitelen. 

 Scale 1 : l.ôOO.CWO. 



to 160 

 Feet. 



Depths. 



160 to 320 

 Feet. 



320 Feet and 

 upwards. 



30 Miles. 



descend from the upper valleys of these highlands, and at least at one point on the 

 west side reach the seacoast. 



Towards the west the snows and ice covering the interior, and easily confused 

 at a distance with the overhanging banks of white clouds, render an accurate 

 survey of the craters, crevasses, and lava streams almost impossible. But near 

 the seaboard are seen nvmierous volcanoes, whose craters are now filled with snoAV 

 or water. The east side, where fair weather prevails, receives less moisture, and 

 here the snow line is arrested at a mean elevation of 1,000 feet above the sea. 



