40 



MOUNT TARN. 



Feb. 1827. 



before firm footing could be found. It was very laborious work, 

 and the ground being saturated, and each tree dripping with 

 moisture, we were soon wet through. We proceeded along the 

 same sort of road up a steep ascent ; some one of the party 

 constantly falling into deep holes covered by moss, or stumbling 

 over fallen trunks of trees. As I carried a barometer I was 

 obliged to proceed with caution, and succeeded in emerging 

 from this jungle without accident. After about three quarters 

 of an hour spent in this way, we reached an open space, where 

 we rested, and I set up the barometer. Here we found a 

 cypress of very stunted growth. 



Our road hence was rather more varied : always steep, 

 but sometimes free from impediment. Here and there we 

 observed the boggy soil was faced with a small plant {Chamitis 

 sp.) of a harsh character, growing so thick and close as to form 

 large tufts, over which we walked as on hard ground. We 

 struggled through several thickets of stunted beech-trees, with 

 a thick jungle of Berberis underneath, whose strong and sharp 

 thorns penetrated our clothes at every step; and began to 

 find the fatigue very oppressive : some of my boat's crew 

 suffered much, being unused to such exercise. At last we 

 approached the place where Mr. Cooke and his party had 

 established themselves, and upon hailing, were invigorated by a 

 cheer in reply. We reached the bivouac in a very way-worn 

 condition, and found, to our great comfort, the tent pitched, 

 and a good fire burning.* 



The ground was so exceedingly wet, that although we slept 

 upon branches, forming a layer at least a foot thick, we found 

 ourselves, in the night, lying as if in a morass, and suffering 

 from cold, even with a large fire blazing at our feet. At day- 

 light next morning, just as we were starting, a boat was seen 

 sailing round Cape San Isidro, which, by the aid of a telescope, 

 I made out to be the Hope. 



We resumed the ascent, and passed over, rather than 

 through, thickets of the crumply-leaved beech, which, from 



* The height of this place, as shown by the barometer, on the ascent, 

 was 941 feet, and, on the descent, 973 feet. 



