572 



OBSTRUCTION SOUND. 



named by him, * Ancon sin salida/ was found, upon examination, 

 to extend so far into the interior, and in the direction of the 

 Skyring Water, that the most strict investigation of the numerous 

 sounds and canals was made,, in the perfect conviction of finding 

 the desired communication. But after a patient, laborious, and 

 minute examination, particularly of those openings which led to 

 the southward, among which Obstruction Sound held the most 

 flattering appearance. Lieutenant Skyring, who performed this 

 service, was obliged to give up the search and return. At one 

 part, near the south-eastern end of the sound, he entered an open- 

 ing, which at first had an appearance that was favourable to the 

 desired communication, but it terminated in low, woody land. 

 There was, however, a hill near the shore, which he ascended with 

 the hope of obtaining a view of the country ; but the sides and 

 summit of the hill were so thickly wooded as to obstruct his view, 

 and with the exception of some distant high land in the south-east 

 quarter, and a sheet of water about six miles off in the same bear- 

 ing, nothing was discerned to repay him for the fatigue and trouble 

 of the ascent. Whether the water is a lagoon, or a part of the 

 Skyring Water, or whether it communicates with the opening 

 trending round the north side of Dynevor Castle, yet remains to 

 be ascertained. 



Being foiled in this attempt, Lieutenant Skyring proceeded 

 onward in a S.S.W. direction, and after a pull of ten miles came to 

 the bottom of the sound, which was terminated by high, precipi- 

 tous land encircling every part. Neither wigwams nor traces of 

 Indians were seen, another proof, were one required, of the sound 

 not communicating with the Skyring Water ; for the Indians very 

 rarely visit these deep inlets, but are always to be found in nar- 

 row straits or communicating channels, where, from the strength 

 of the tide, seals and porpoises, which constitute the principal food 

 of the Fuegian Indians, abound. Sarmiento's name, therefore, of 

 * Ancon sin salida,' which we had hoped to have expunged from 

 the chart, must now remain, a lasting memorial of his enterprising 

 character, and of a voyage deservedly one of the most celebrated, 

 as well as most useful, of the age in which it was performed. 



The termination of Obstruction Sound is one of the most remark- 

 able features in the geography of this part of South America. 



In this examination the southern extremity of the Cordillera was 



