206 SIEGE OF THE SOUTH POLE 
composed the islet, and this suggested the utilisation of 
birds in such conditions as geological collectors. 
At 9.30 p. m. the boats left the islet and got safely on 
board the corvettes two hours later, the sinking of the 
sun bringing on a very cold night with a temperature 
of 24 0 F., which sheathed the oars and the outsides of 
the boats with ice. The first cape seen on the icy coast 
was named Cap de la Decouverte, that near the landing 
place Pointe Geologie, and the land as a whole was 
named Terre Adelie, as the gallant but garrulous leader 
puts it in his official report : “ This name is destined 
to perpetuate the memory of my profound regard for 
the devoted companion who has three times consented 
to a long and painful separation in order to allow me 
to accomplish my plans for distant explorations. These 
thoughts alone have urged me on in my naval career since 
my most tender childhood. On my part, then, this is 
merely an act of justice, a sort of duty which I perform, 
from which no one could possibly withhold his approba- 
tion.” 
For two days the ships slowly proceeded to the east- 
ward along the land to which closer observation now 
enabled the more reasonable height of 1500 feet to be 
assigned as a maximum. In 135 0 30' E. the edge of the 
pack was found running from south to north barring 
the way to any further eastward advance, and on the 
24th, as the ships were working their way northward 
between the drifting bergs, they were struck by a sudden 
gale and separated. The Astrolabe had her mainsail 
torn to ribbons and there was the greatest anxiety for 
the safety of her masts, but both corvettes weathered the 
storm, escaped collision with the bergs, and met again 
next day, though more damage had been done to their 
