1835. STEPHENS BAY TUHTLE SHELLS. 480 



clouds) down a large valley.* All this southern side of the 

 island is well wooded ; and on the higher ground the wood is 

 very green. 



Continuing our course along shore, we arrived at our former 

 anchorage in Stephens Bay soon after dark, when Mr. Chaffers 

 returned on board, having reached the anchorage in the morn- 

 ing. 



22d. So generally cloudy is the weather here, that a day 

 such as this proved to be, of hot, vertical sunshine, was much 

 felt by every body ; and to show how objectionable our an- 

 chorage was in this respect, I may mention that a fresh breeze 

 was blowing all day in the ofRng ; yet in the bay only light 

 variable airs were felt. 



Some fine turtle were brought on board, the first we had 

 seen here ; they are rather like the green turtle of the West- 

 Indies, but not exactly. Among the shells found about the 

 islands one is common, which reminded me of the purple murex, 

 as the fish emits a strongly dyeing liquid of a similar colour.-[- 

 A kind of mangrove grows near the water, on the sandy 

 beaches of this island ; and the shape and colour of that curious 

 tree are some relief to an eye tired of looking at rugged lava or 

 withered bushes. 



23d. While becalmed we tried the clamms J in fifty fathoms 

 water, and brought up as much sand as would fill a bucket, 

 but nothing curious. Afterwards we had a breeze, and passed 

 Barrington Island pretty closely. It is not high, yet the 

 shores are bold and fronted by cliffs; the more elevated parts 

 appear to be level, and rather woody. This night was spent 

 under sail between Charles and Hood Islands. 



24th. While we were endeavouring to reach the anchorage 

 in Post -Office Bay (Charles Island), Mr. Chaffers and Mr.Mel- 

 lersh went away in a boat to visit the islets that lie near the 

 eastern side of that island : and it was found that they had all 



* There is no other place in the Galapagos where ships can water at 

 all times of the year. t Found also on the coast of Peru (UUoa). 



X An indifferent contrivance of mine, made and put together by our 

 own armourer. 



