Dec. 1826. RIVER GALLEGOS. 9 
securely attached itself under the skin, as not to be removed 
without cutting off a piece of the flesh with it. An undescribed 
species of Mureena was also taken. 
Whilst we were on shore, the Beagle moved eight or nine 
miles nearer to the Cape, where Captain Stokes landed to fix 
positions of remarkable land. One peaked hill, from the cir- 
cumstance of his seeing a large animal near it, he called Tiger 
Mount. Mr. Bowen shot a guanaco; and being at a distance 
in shore, unable to procure assistance, he skinned and quar- 
tered it with his pocket-knife, and carried it upon his shoulders 
to the boat. 
Next morning the ships weighed, and proceeded towards Cape 
Virgins. 
When a-breast of Cape Fairweather, the opening of the 
river Gallegos was very distinctly seen; but the examination 
of it was deferred to a future opportunity. Passing onward, 
the water shoaled to four fathoms, until we had passed exten- 
sive banks, which front the river. 
Our approach to the entrance of the Strait, although at- 
tended with anxiety, caused sensations of interest and pleasure 
not easily to be described. 'Though dangers were experienced 
by some navigators who had passed it, the comparative facility 
with which others had effected the passage showed that, at 
times, the difficulties were easily surmounted, and we were 
willing to suppose that in the former case there might have 
been some little exaggeration. 
The most complete, and, probably, the only good account of 
the navigation of the Strait of Magalhaens is contained in the 
narrative of Don Antonio de Cordova, who commanded the 
Spanish frigate Santa Maria de la Cabeza, on a voyage ex- 
pressly for the purpose of exploring the strait. It was pub- 
lished under the title of ‘ Ultimo Viage al Estrecho de Magal- 
lanes. That voyage was, however, concluded with only the 
examination of the eastern part, and a subsequent expedition 
was made, under the command of the same officer, the account 
of which was appended to the Cabeza’s voyage ; so that Cor- 
dova’s expedition still retained the appellation of ‘ Ultimo 
