THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. 471 



distant from the river's mouth, which we intended to explore 

 for the desired fossils, the steamer again broke down, and it 

 was accordingly determined that we should not proceed 

 farther. We therefore landed in the galley, got the gear 

 on shore from the two boats, and pitched the tents. The 

 galley was then hauled up in course of time, while later 

 the steamer was beached at high water. While these arrange- 

 ments were going on we strolled out in different directions to 

 survey the prospect. Captain Mayne and I walking a few 

 miles in the direction of the cliffs. On our way we observed 

 a beautiful hawk, with brown and ash-coloured plumage, but 

 did not get a shot at it, as well as numerous carranchas, which, 

 as usual, kept a sharp look-out on our proceedings. I found, 

 to my disappointment, that nearly all the plants, with the 

 exception of a common yellow-flowered Senecia, had passed 

 out of bloom, so that I was unable to replace the specimens 

 so unfortunately lost on our previous visit. Close to the 

 edge of the river the Ewpharhia, then noticed, and a curious 

 leafless, probably Polygonaceous plant, with oddly jointed 

 stems, which I had found in the course of our first season at 

 Direction Hills, occurred plentifully, the latter covered with 

 seed. We did not observe any guanacos or ostriches, though 

 many fragments of the skeletons of both were scattered about, 

 and there was abundant evidence that pumas were common 

 in the neighbourhood. 



Next morning (9th) we rose at half-past six, and, imme- 

 diately after we had breakfasted, made our preparations for 

 going up the river to the cliffs — a guanaco, meanwhile, 

 appearing, and watching our proceedings at a safe distance. 

 At eight the greater number of us started in the two boats, 

 the cutter, as on the former day, taking the galley in tow. 

 Many specimens of a large crested grebe were to be seen 



