THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. 433 



ground on ants' larvae. On the 19th I landed on the opposite 

 side of the bay from our anchorage, and spent some hours 

 botanising, finding in the woods a small species of Lihertia 

 which was new to me. In open spaces there was a splendid 

 display of white and purple foxgloves, and I found the 

 Tricuspidaria or Crinodendron observed in the preceding 

 April in abundance, its low trees being red with a multitude 

 of the fine drooping crimson flowers. I also obtained flowering 

 specimens of the Proteaceous Lomatia ferruginea, which I 

 have previously mentioned extends far down the west coast of 

 Patagonia. Another tree belonging to the same order, which 

 occurred rather plentifully, was the Quadria heteropliylla, 

 with rather large pinnate evergreen leaves, and a small edible 

 fruit of a nutty flavour, on account of which it is termed 

 *' avellano " by the Chilian country people. 



On the afternoon of the 20th we left the bay of Ancud, 

 and passed into the Chacao Narrows, anchoring for the night 

 in Lacao Bay. Next morning we got under way, and pro- 

 ceeded southwards to the island of Quehuy, situated about 

 half-way down the east coast of Chiloe. The day was at 

 first bright and clear, and the view of the dark frowning 

 headlands and snowy peaks beyond was remarkably fine. 

 We anchored off the island soon after noon, as we had been 

 informed that two Englishmen lived there who were well 

 acquainted with the Chonos Archipelago, and Captain Mayne 

 was anxious, if possible, to secure the services of one or other 

 of them to pilot us through the intricacies of that imperfectly 

 known region, which we were desirous of seeing something of. 

 Heavy rain set in by the time we came to our anchor, and 

 continued throughout the remainder of the day, but this did 

 not prevent a considerable number of us from landing, and 

 spending the afternoon on shore. I at first pursued my way 



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