GOOD OPPORTUNITIES LOST. 385 
watch the tide, on the day of new moon, at the entrance of the 
channel, and brought back a piece of the rock of which the 
last-mentioned cluster of islets consists. It is similar to that 
of Fury Island and Mount Skyring, apparently metallic, with 
a sulphureous smell, when struck or broken.* Small pieces 
put near the compass did not seem to affect it sensibly ; but I 
did not spend time in trying the experiment with nicety, being 
satisfied of the general result. There may be metal in many 
of the Fuegian mountains, and I much regret that no person 
in the vessel was skilled in mineralogy, or at all acquainted 
with geology. It is a pity that so good an opportunity of ascer- 
taining the nature of the rocks and earths of these regions should 
have been almost lost. 
“T could not avoid often thinking of the talent and expe- 
rience required for such scientific researches, of which we were 
wholly destitute; and inwardly resolving, that if ever I left 
England again on a similar expedition, I would endeavour to 
carry out a person qualified to examine the land; while the 
officers, and myself, would attend to hydrography.” 
* Geological Society, Coll. No. 197. — 
Vol. is Te 
