84 CAPE NEGRO — PORT FAMINE. [1823. 



aspect, but also in natural productions, as well as in the appearance 

 and character of the natives. 



I have not the least doubt that the Cordilleras, or chain of the An- 

 des, once extended in an unbroken range to Cape Horn, and perhaps 

 still farther south ; and that earthquakes, eruptions of volcanoes, or 

 some other convulsion of nature, have broken the chain, and thus 

 separated Terra del Fuego from the continent ; at the same time 

 shattering the former into several smaller pieces of irregular shape. 

 I am led to this opinion by the exact correspondence which exists in 

 the aspect of the country on both sides the strait. 



At the eastern entrance, the land is low on both sides. The island 

 formed by St. Sebastian's channel, on the left or south side of the 

 passage, is a wide rolling prairie — an extensive field of low land. The 

 land on the right or north side is of a similar character, and continues 

 so through the whole extent of Patagonia ; which is, comparatively 

 a long strip of meadow, stretching itself at the base of the Andes, and 

 fringing the margin of the sea. 



Thus from Cape Negro, where we were now lying at anchor, to 

 the Atlantic, the land is low, undulating, and destitute of trees ; while 

 westward to the Pacific, it wears a very different aspect. Here the 

 country begins to rise in broken ridges, which finally become rugged 

 mountains ; being evidently but smaller links of the vast Andean chain ; 

 of which Cape Froward appears to be the point of fracture, reduced 

 by attrition to an ordinary elevation. The sides of these mountains 

 are covered with ancient forests, while the verdant bottom lands abound 

 with shrubbery, grass, and plants of various descriptions. 



May 3d. — On Saturday morning, being at anchor in the harbour of 

 Cape Negro, at four o'clock, A. M., we saw many of the Patagonian 

 natives on the beach abreast of the vessel, making signs for the boats 

 to come on shore. At five, A. M., we were making preparations to 

 land, when a man at the mast-head discovered about two hundred of 

 the natives on horseback, in a small valley, about a quarter of a mile 

 from the beach. On being apprized of this fact, we declined going on 

 shore; and at six, A. M., got under way, and steered to the south for 

 Port Famine. 



As soon as the savages perceived that we were bound to the south, 

 they all showed themselves ; being about two hundred horsemen, armed 

 with long spears and bows and arrows, with a drove of about four 

 hundred guanacoes. But being now under full sail, with a smart 

 breeze from the west, I thought it inexpedient to alter our course for 

 the sake of holding any intercourse with these copper-coloured stran- 

 gers. If they desired an interview, they might easily follow us along 

 shore to Port Famine, a distance of about fifty miles. We therefore 

 left them to their own reflections, and kept on our course. At four, P. 

 M., we came to anchor at Port Famine, in five fathoms of water, 

 muddy bottom. 



A brief history of this place will account for its present meager 

 name. In the year 1581, the Spaniards selected the spot for the 

 establishment of a colony, and brought hither about four hundred per~ 

 sons of both sexes to commence it. A fortress was soon erected to 



