390 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [20] 



Cape Negro forms the northeastern boundary of Laredo Bay, and is 

 covered with an irregular forest growth. It may, in fact, be considered 

 the dividing line between the comparatively low treeless coast of east- 

 ern Patagonia, and the mountainous, heavily-wooded regions to the 

 westward. A deep valley back of the bay and the surrounding heights 

 were occupied as cattle ranches, large herds being seen a short distance 

 inland. Horses, cattle, and sheep graze the year round, and require 

 little attention, except the protection of the last from wild beasts. The 

 seine was hauled with fair success, as far as procuring specimens was 

 concerned ; half a dozen mullet were all the edible fish taken. 



The barometer took one of its inexplicable Antarctic flights on the 22d, 

 ranging from 29.58 to 30.32 within twenty-four hours, pleasant weather 

 prevailing meantime. 



At 10 a. m., January 23, we got under way, stood out to the middle 

 of the straits, and made two successful hauls of the trawl in GO and 77 

 fathoms. Large numbers of specimens were procured, but there was a 

 notable absence of fish. As soon as the last haul was completed we 

 steamed to Sandy Point, anchoriug off that place at 1.20 p. m. 



We were visited by the health officer and granted pratique without 

 delay. Official calls were exchanged with the governor of the province, 

 Sr. Francisco R. Sampaio, who extended every courtesy, and made our 

 stay at Sandy Point very pleasant. Sr. Ramon Lista, governor of the 

 Argentine Colony of Santa Cruz, arrived soon after the Albatross, and 

 calls were exchanged. We also met the governor of the Argentine 

 Colony of Ooshooia, in southeastern Terra del Puego, who informed us 

 that shipwrecked mariners need not fear the natives east of Cape Horn. 

 On the contrary, they could be depended upon to render all practicable 

 aid. 



The naturalists expressed a wish to have some specimens of the 

 Antarctic sea-lions for the National Museum; so, after having made 

 inquiries on the shore, Mr. Townsend and I left the ship in the steam- 

 cutter at 8 a. m., on the 26th, for St. Peter and St. Paul Rocks, latitude 

 53o 43' S., longitude 70° 44' W., about 35 miles from Sandy Point. 

 They are on the south side of the # Straits, about 1 mile in length, a 

 quarter of a mile in width, 10 feet above high water, and connected by 

 a narrow neck, which is awash at half tide. They are quite barren, with 

 the exception of a few bushes on the higher part of the largest islet. 

 Nearing the rocks we saw a number of seals, or sea-lions, hauled out on 

 a steep, rocky beach, just above high water, and, landing on the op- 

 posite side, we worked our way to a favorable position, about 200 yards 

 from them, fired at the word, killing four at one discharge. One fell 

 into the water and sunk, so we secured but three. They proved to be 

 fur seals on closer inspection, entirely different from the animals we 

 were in search of, but we skinned them, nevertheless, and preserved one 

 skeleton. We shot several birds, and a number of fossil shells were 

 chiselled out of the rocks. 



