DANGERS KELP. 



sure to weather. It is said by those who have had the most 

 experience there, that the climate of West Falkland is milder 

 than that of the Eastern large island. Probably the west winds 

 are chilled in passing over the heights, and upon reaching 

 Port Louis are several degrees colder than when they first 

 strike upon the western islands. In Tierra del Fuego, and 

 many other places, the case is similar, the western regions 

 having a milder climate than is found about the central or 

 eastern districts. Excellent harbours, easy of access, affording 

 good shelter, with the very best holding ground, abound among 

 these islands, and, with due care, offer ample protection from 

 the frequent gales. 



In approaching the land, and especially while entering a 

 harbour, a careful look-out should be kept for ' fixed kelp,"* 

 the seaweed growing on every rock in those places, which is 

 covered by the sea, and not very far beneath its surface. Lying 

 upon the water, the upper leaves and stalks show, almost as 

 well as a buoy, where there is a possibility of hidden danger. 

 Long stems, with leaves, lying regularly along the surface of 

 the sea, are generally attached to rocky places, or else to 

 large stones. Occasionally a few straggling stalks of kelp are 

 seen in deep water, even in thirty fathoms : many of which 

 are attached to stones, and so firmly, that their long stems 

 will sometimes weigh the stone adhering to their roots. Such 

 scattered plants as these need not be minded by a ship ; but in 

 passing to windward of patches or beds of kelp, or rather in 

 passing on that side from which the stems stream away with 

 the current, care should be taken to give the place a wide 

 berth, because the only part which shows, when the tide is 

 strong, lies on one side of, not over the rocks. Where the 

 stream of tide is very strong this kelp is quite ' run under,** or 

 kept down out of sight, and can no longer be depended on as a 

 warning. When a clear spot is seen in the middle of a thick 

 patch of fixed kelp, one may expect to find there the least 

 water. 



Drift kelp, or that which is floating on the surface of the 

 sea, unattached to any rock or stone, of course need not be 



