CHAP. XI 



GIGANTIC PATAGONIANS 



245 



Gregory Bay, that is about sixty miles, the difference is still more 

 wonderful. At the former place we have rounded mountains 

 concealed by impervious forests, which are drenched with the 

 rain brought by an endless succession of gales ; while at Cape 

 Gregory there is a clear and bright blue sky over the dry and 

 sterile plains. The atmospheric currents,^ although rapid, 

 turbulent, and unconfined by any apparent limits, yet seem to 

 follow, like a river in its bed, a regularly determined course. 



During our previous visit (in January), we had an interview 

 at Cape Gregory with the famous so-called gigantic Patagonians, 





PATAGONIANS FROM CAPE GREGOKY. 



who gave us a cordial reception. Their height appears greater 

 than it really is, from their large guanaco mantles, their long 

 flowing hair, and general figure : on an average their height is 

 about six feet, with some men taller and only a few shorter ; 

 and the women are also tall ; altogether they are certainly the 

 tallest race which we anywhere saw. In features they strikingly 



^ The south-westerly breezes are generally very dry. Januaiy 29th, being at 

 anchor under Cape Gregory : a very hard gale from W. by S., clear sky with few 

 cumuli ; temperature 57°, dew-point 36°, — difference 21°. On January 15th, at Port 

 St. Julian : in the morning light winds with much rain, followed by a very heavy 

 squall with rain, — settled into heavy gale with large cumuli, — cleared up, blowing 

 very strong from S.S. W. Temperature 60°, dew-point 42°, — difference 18", 



