Dec. 1826. 



RIVER GALLEGOS. 



9 



securely attached itself under the skin, as not to be removed 

 without cutting off a piece of the flesh with it. An undescribed 

 species of Murcena was also taken. 



Whilst we were on shore, the Beagle moved eight or nine 

 miles nearer to the Cape, where Captain Stokes landed to fix 

 positions of remarkable land. One peaked hill, from the cir- 

 cumstance of his seeing a large animal near it, he called Tiger 

 Mount. Mr. Bowen shot a guanaco ; and being at a distance 

 in shore, unable to procure assistance, he skinned and quar- 

 tered it with his pocket-knife, and carried it upon his shoulders 

 to the boat. 



Next morning the ships weighed, and proceeded towards Cape 

 Virgins. 



When a -breast of Cape Fairweather, the opening of the 

 river Gallegos was very distinctly seen ; but the examination 

 of it was deferred to a future opportunity. Passing onward, 

 the water shoaled to four fathoms, until we had passed exten- 

 sive banks, which front the river. 



Our approach to the entrance of the Strait, although at- 

 tended with anxiety, caused sensations of interest and pleasure 

 not easily to be described. Though dangers were experienced 

 by some navigators who had passed it, the comparative facility 

 with which others had effected the passage showed that, at 

 times, the difficulties were easily surmounted, and we were 

 willing to suppose that in the former case there might have 

 been some little exaggeration. 



The most complete, and, probably, the only good account of 

 the navigation of the Strait of Magalhaens is contained in the 

 narrative of Don Antonio de Cordova, who commanded the 

 Spanish frigate Santa Maria de la Cabeza, on a voyage ex- 

 pressly for the purpose of exploring the strait. It was pub- 

 lished under tlie title of ' Ultimo Viage al Estrecho de Magal- 

 lanes.' That voyage was, however, concluded with only the 

 examination of the eastern part, and a subsequent expedition 

 was made, under the command of the same officer, the account 

 of which was appended to the Cabeza's voyage ; so that Cor- 

 dova"*s expedition still retained the appellation of ' Ultimo 



