Jan. 1833. 



INHABITANTS. 



237 



the north, to travel down the Cordillera or backbone of 

 America, to invent and build canoes, and then to enter on 

 one of the most inhospitable countries within the limits of 

 the globe ? Although such reflections must at first occupy 

 one's mind, yet we may feel sure that many of them are 

 quite erroneous. There is no reason to believe that the 

 Fuegians decrease in number; therefore we must suppose 

 that they enjoy a sufficient share of happiness (of whatever 

 kind it may be) to render life worth having. Nature by 

 making habit omnipotent, and its effects hereditary, has 

 fitted the Fuegian to the climate and the productions of his 

 country. 



January 15th, 1833. — The Beagle anchored in Goeree 

 Roads. Captain FitzRoy having determined to settle the 

 Fuegians, according to their wishes, in Ponsonby Sound, 

 four boats were equipped to carry them there through 

 the Beagle channel. This channel which was discovered by 

 Captain FitzRoy during the last voyage, is a most remark- 

 able feature in the geography of this, or indeed of any other 

 country. Its length is about 120 miles with an average 

 breadth, not subject to any very great variations, of about 

 two miles. It is throughout the greater part so extremely 

 straight, that the view, bounded on each side by a line of 

 mountains, gradually becomes indistinct in the perspective. 

 This arm of the sea may be compared to the valley of 

 Lochness in Scotland, with its chain of lakes and enterins: 

 friths. At some future epoch the resemblance perhaps will 

 become complete. Already in one part we have proofs of a 

 rising of the land in a line of cliff, or terrace, composed of 

 coarse sandstone, mud, and shingle^ which forms both 

 shores. The Beagle channel crosses the southern part of 

 Tierra del Fuego in an east and west line ; in its middle, 

 it is joined on the south side by an irregular channel at 

 right angles to it, which has been called Ponsonby Sound. 

 This is the residence of Jemmy Butfon's tribe and family. 



January 19th. — Three whale boats and the yawl, with a 



