38 VOYAGES OF A NATUEALIST 



Amongst the birds obtained by the last-named 

 expedition were several specimens of a petrel, 

 which Dr. Bowdler Sharpe described as a new 

 species.* 



As we gradually drew near to the island, the 

 " Ninepin," a huge upright column of rock, came 

 into view. This rock is several hundred feet in 

 height, and in shape is much like an enormous 

 tree-trunk. It was at one time undoubtedly of a 

 much large diameter than now, long exposure to 

 the weather having worn its surface away to such 

 an extent that only the hard central core remains 

 at the present time. 



When we were within a mile or two of the island, 

 we could see that the greater part of it was covered 

 with grass, while against the sky-line at the ex- 

 treme summit a mass of trees could be distinguished. 

 Extending from the summit to the base were many 

 fissures, which formed deep valleys, and these 

 were thickly overgrown with tree-ferns. 



Sea-birds, chiefly large petrels, appeared in 

 numbers, and circled round the ship, while a good 

 many gannets settled in the rigging. 



A strong northerly gale was blowing, and Captain 

 Caws had little hopes of the sea being smooth 

 enough to lower a boat. As we drew under the 

 lee of the island, however, the sea proved perfectly 

 calm, and but little surf was beating on the 

 shore. 



* "Bulletin Brit. Cm. Club," XII., p. 49 (February, 1902). 



