1112 



I'UKTER S JOUR^ AL. 



and shelter only ; it is impossible to penetrate from thence 

 into the island. But I have no doubt landing may be ef- 

 fected elsewhere ; and, from the verdant appearance of 

 the interior of the island, I should suppose that, like all 

 the others, it affords tortoises. On the small beach oppo- 

 site the anchorage, we found one turtle, and in the bay an 

 abundance of fish were caught by the boat's crew. I at- 

 tempted to ascend a small hill on the south point of the 

 bay, and the only one that had the appearance of being ac- 

 cessible, for the purpose of taking a better view of the bay, 

 in order to discover if there were any sunken rocks or other 

 dangers. But I soon Avas compelled to desist, as the loose 

 lava, ashes, and other volcanic substances, which were con- 

 stantly giving way under me, rendered my ascent very diffi- 

 cult, and descent dangerous. From thence I proceeded to 

 the north part of the island, which wholly consists of hard 

 black lava, totally destitute of vegetation, and apparently 

 owes its existence to an eruption of no distant period. 

 The whole of the west as well as the north part we found 

 to be inaccessible, and of the same dreary appearance. 

 We shot here a number of seals, and, after loading our 

 boats with fish, returned to the ship. 



