THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. 227 



gradually deepened to rose colour, and finally to carmine. 

 About a couple of hours after sunset a remarkable elevation 

 in the temperature of the sea-water, due, in all probability, to 

 the Plate current, was recorded. On the 22d the wind still 

 continued unfavourable, and the vessel pitched severely. 

 Some large black petrels were seen, closely resembling a 

 species occasionally noticed by us in the Strait. The 24th 

 was very mild and warm, with the wind rather variable. 

 Early on the morning of the following day, when we were 

 in the latitude of Monte Video, several flying-fish were 

 observed. There was but little wind during the earlier part 

 of the day, but a little before noon a fresh breeze sprang 

 up, which carried us along at the rate of about eight knots, 

 till the evening, when it became lighter. On the 26th, a 

 charming sunny day, we made from four to five knots, and 

 many stormy petrels were seen. The morning of the 27th 

 was foggy and drizzling. We noticed a marked diminution 

 in the number of Cape pigeons. The 28th and 29th were 

 beautiful days, and the 30th was so warm that we were fain 

 to don lighter clothing than that which we had been accus- 

 tomed to for many months. One solitary Cape pigeon accom- 

 panied us as we steamed on our way, — finding at noon that 

 we were only a hundred and sixteen miles from our destination. 

 Next morning, between five and six A.M., we reached the glorious 

 harbour of Eio, just as the day was breaking, the various 

 striking peaks at the entrance being projected against a pale 

 orange sky. Standing on the bridge, it was curious to observe 

 how, as the light increased, various striking features of the 

 landscape became gradually developed, the forms of the various 

 trees on the wooded hill-sides unfolding themselves, and the 

 palms which crowned many of the ridges becoming very 

 early recognisable. Soon after we anchored we received a 



