128 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



penguins jumped out of the water in the most absurd 

 manner, throwing their hind quarters in the air, and phmging 

 in again, head foremost, after the manner of porpoises. The 

 sunset was again very beautiful, the calm surface of the sea, 

 which was of a pale emerald tint, exhibiting rosy reflections 

 of the clouds. 



The early part of the 15th was likewise very fine, and 

 the sounding of the Sarmiento Bank was continued. In the 

 afternoon we encountered a curious kind of fog-bank, which 

 came down from the northward, completely enveloped the 

 ship for about ten minutes, and then passed away to leeward, 

 leaving all to windward as clear as before. This occurred 

 two or three times in rapid succession ; and after we had 

 anchored in the evening we saw several more of these fog- 

 clouds pass over the Sarmiento Bank, though they did not 

 reach us. We anchored on this occasion on the western 

 side of Dungeness. The 16th was also occupied in sounding. 

 A number of bridled dolphins {Del;phinus hivittatus) appeared 

 in the vicinity of the ship, and we saw them on several 

 subsequent occasions ; but, greatly to my regret, I had no 

 opportunity of examining a specimen of the species. In 

 the evening, when we were lying at anchor in Possession 

 Bay, a large fire was observed, extending for more than 

 half-a-mile along the coast. This we supposed at the time to 

 be the work of Patagonians, but we afterwards found that it 

 had been lighted by a party from Sandy Point, who wished 

 to attract our attention. 



On the morning of the l7th the dredge yielded live 

 specimens of Lithodes antarctica, and of Peltarion spinu- 

 losum, some Holothuridce, Terehratulce, Tunicata, and sponges, 

 as well as a variety of Algae. Here I may observe, that 

 while we were in the eastern portion of the Strait, a consider- 



