THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. 185 



candidans, which, in the eastern part of the Strait, as I have 

 previously observed, generally forms a conspicuous fringe above 

 high-water mark. As the tide fell, the water dried out for a 

 long distance, leaving extensive mud-flats, which I traversed 

 in many directions, in the vain hope of finding live specimens 

 of the Magellanic Yolute. Large beds of Mytili were un- 

 covered, and many specimens of another bivalve, the Zutraria 

 {Darina) solenoides, were lying scattered about. Immense 

 flocks of Chloephaga poliocephala were observed by us, as well 

 as a considerable number of ducks ; and a plentiful supply of 

 both birds was obtained, the sportsmen returning heavily 

 laden to the ship in the evening. On a flat space of ground 

 close to the beach I found specimens of an obscure-flowered 

 composite plant, with a very pungent smell, and on some 

 high ground the foliage of the Oxalis enneaphylla was abun- 

 dant, the plant having passed out of flower. In a small stream 

 flowing into the head of the harbour I obtained numerous 

 specimens of a Gasteropod of the genus Lymnma, as well as 

 two additional plants, one of which was a Caltha (C. digitata), 

 and the other a familiar old friend, Hippuris vulgaris, the 

 common mare's-tail of our English ditches. The latter, 

 widely distributed over the northern hemisphere, was found 

 at Port Famine by Captain King, while engaged in his 

 survey of the Strait, and this for some time appears to have 

 been the only recorded habitat for it south of the Equator ; 

 but it has since, I believe, been ascertained to occur in Chili. 

 In the Strait I afterwards met with it, both at Port Famine 

 and at Sandy Point. 



On the 30th and 31st we had bright clear weather, but it 

 was blowing hard, and very cold ; and on the 1st of April 

 heavy snow feU. in the morning, and a white, ghostly-looking 

 world was presented to my view on coming out of my cabin. 



