213 



CHAPTER X. 



Santa Cruz — Expedition up river — Indians— Character of Patagonia — 

 Basaltic platform — Immense streams of lava — Non-transport of 

 blocks by river — Excavation of valley — Condor, range and habits — 

 Cordillera — Erratic boulders of great size — Indian relics — Return to 

 the ship. 



SANTA CRUZ PATAGONIA. 



April 13th. — The Beagle anchored within the mouth 

 of the Santa Cruz. This river is situated about sixty miles 

 south of Port St. Julian. During the last voyage^ Captain 

 Stokes proceeded thirty miles up^ but then^ from the want 

 of provisions^ was obliged to return. Excepting what was 

 discovered at that time^ scarcely any thing was known about 

 this large river. Captain FitzRoy now determined to fol- 

 low its course as far as time would allow. On the 18th, 

 three whale-boats started, carrying three weeks^ provisions ; 

 and the party consisted of twenty-five souls — a force which 

 would have been sufficient to have defied a host of Indians. 

 With a strong flood-tide, and a fine day, we made a good 

 run, soon drank some of the fresh water, and were at night 

 nearly above the tidal influence. 



The river here assumed a size and appearance, which, even 

 at the highest point we ultimately reached, was scarcely 

 diminished. It was generally from three to four hundred 

 yards broad, and in the middle about seventeen feet deep. 

 The rapidity of the current, which in its whole course runs 

 at the rate of from four to six knots an hour, is perhaps its 

 most remarkable feature. The water is of a fine blue colour, 

 but with a slight milky tinge, and not so transparent as at 

 first sight would have been expected. It flows over a bed 

 of pebbles, like those which compose the beach and sur- 

 rounding plains. Although its course is winding, it runs 

 through a valley which extends in a direct line to the west- 



