302 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



Mont Dinero, on the Patagonian coast, for the purpose of 

 taking a series of magnetic observations during the absence 

 of the ship, and I gladly availed myself of the permission 

 to accompany him if I were so disposed. We therefore left 

 the vessel early on the afternoon of the 16th, with the inten- 

 tion of landing opposite the Mount, and there pitching our 

 camp. As we, however, found on approaching the locality 

 that there was too much surf on the beach to permit of our 

 landing there with safety to the delicate instruments in charge, 

 we pulled back to Dungeness, and there entered a curious 

 winding creek like a river, which being land-locked has 

 always smooth water in it. Close to this the tents were 

 pitched for the day, and we set out on a walk in the direction 

 of Cape Virgins, watching with much amusement the gam- 

 bols of the sea-lions in the water. On our return to camp in 

 the evening, we dined, and a few hours later turned in to 

 prepare for an early start next morning. On the 17th, we 

 rose at half-past one a.m., and after a rapid breakfast the 

 gear was packed into the boat ; and when we had pulled to the 

 entrance of the creek, sail was hoisted, and we set off to our 

 destination in the dim moonlight. The land, seen in indis- 

 tinct shadow in the uncertain light, had a strange ghostly 

 effect, and the experience was altogether a memorable one. 

 Occasionally we disturbed flocks of gulls sleeping peacefully 

 in the water, and they flew off in great confusion. By-and- 

 by a faint yellow streak began to make its appearance on 

 the eastern horizon, and the light gradually stole in till w^e 

 had a fine red sunrise. We reached the spot fixed upon soon 

 after five A.M., landing without difiiculty, and pitched our tents 

 on a smooth flat space of ground between two hillocks, and 

 close to a small stream of excellent fresh water, a rather 

 scarce commodity in eastern Patagonia. I spent the day 



