THE STKAIT OF MAGELLAN. 113 



on the part of the boat's crew. The prominent steep cliffs 

 of the Cape are formed of hard clay, inclosing pebbles and 

 boulders of various sizes, and are very deeply and re- 

 markably furrowed, presenting at the base a series of cone- 

 shaped buttresses, as if to withstand the force of the waves. 

 On landing, we found many relics of old wrecks, including 

 portions of masts and numerous planks and barrels, lying scat- 

 tered about at high-water mark. As, after a careful scrutiny, 

 we ascertained that there was no suitable place for pitching 

 the tent close to the beach, we had our gear carried up a steep 

 grassy bank to a plateau on a level with the summit of the 

 cliffs ; and, after dining, we walked along the high ground at 

 the top of the Cape for some distance, my companion wishing 

 to ascertain the most suitable spot for erecting a flag-staff. 

 Sitting down, after a time, on th« Cape, I watched the 

 glories of the magnificent sunset on the waters of the Strait, 

 not returning to the tent till the last trace of the red glow 

 had died away on the horizon. 



Next morning we rose early, and, after breakfasting, 

 separated on our various avocations — my associate setting out 

 with two of his boat's crew to walk along the top of the 

 cliffs to the spot which he had fixed upon the night before 

 for his station ; while I descended to the beach, and walked 

 some distance in an easterly direction, enjoying the bright 

 sunshine and exhilarating air, and keeping a look-out for 

 marine animals. I picked up a few specimens of hydroid 

 sertularian polyps, the sternal apparatus of a condor, and a 

 very large broad frond of a sea-weed, of the genus Halymenia, 

 but obtained nothing of great importance. I then returned to 

 camp, and passed some time watching the movements of two 

 porpoises which were swimming lazily along near the shore. 

 On the return of the surveying party about noon, they 



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