April 1828. WHALES — structure — scenery. 131 



with them. They were as vociferous as usual, and pointed 

 to the shore, inviting us to land. One of them, who stood up 

 in the canoe while we passed, was ornamented about the hair 

 and body with white feathers. 



This part of the Strait teems with whales, seals, and por- 

 poises. While we were in Bradley Cove, a remarkable appear- 

 ance of the water spouted by whales was observed; it hung in 

 the air like a bright silvery mist, and was visible to the naked 

 eye, at the distance of four miles, for one minute and thirty- 

 five seconds before it disappeared. 



A glance at the chart of tlna part of the Strait will show 

 the difference of geological structure in the opposite coasts. 

 The north shore, from Cape Froward to Port Gallant, forms 

 a straight line, with scarcely a projection or bight ; but on 

 the opposite side there is a succession of inlets, surrounded 

 by precipitous mountains, which are separated by ravines. The 

 northern shore is of slate; but the other is principally of green- 

 stone, and its mountains, instead of running up into sharp 

 peaks, and narrow serrated ridges, are generally round-topped. 

 The vegetation on both sides is almost equally abundant, but 

 the trees on the south shore are much smaller. The smooth- 

 leaved beech {Fagus hetuloides) and Winter's-bark are the 

 principal trees ; but here and there a small tree was observed, 

 like a cypress, which does not grow to the eastward, excepting 

 on the sides of Mount Tarn, where it only reaches the height of 

 three or four feet. 



The scenery of this part of the Strait, instead of being as 

 Cordova describes it, " horrible,""' is at this season exceedingly 

 striking and picturesque. The highest mountains certainly are 

 bare of vegetation ; but their sharp peaks and snow-covered 

 summits afford a pleasing contrast to the lower hills, thickly 

 clothed with trees quite to the water^s side, which is bordered 

 by masses of bare rock, studded v/ith ferns and moss, and 

 backed by the rich dark -green foliage of the berberis and 

 arbutus shrubs, v^^ith here and there a beech-tree, just begin- 

 ning to assume its autumnal tints. 



In working into the narrow entrance of Port Gallant, the 



IV 2 



