KERGUELEN LAND . 
125 
derived. Although Cook and Ross afterwards visited 
here, and added certain information, still the chart 
is very vague, except in the delineation of the east 
side of the island, which is very much cut up by 
fiords, forming a chain of magnificent, well-sheltered 
harbours. It is thirty years ago that Ross anchored 
his vessels, the Erebus and Terror , in Christmas 
Harbour, which he describes as being nearly a mile 
wide at its entrance, between Cape Frangoiz on the 
north, and Arch Point on the south, on which side is 
a small bay, that increases the breadth for nearly half 
the depth of the inlet, when it suddenly contracts to 
less than one-third of a mile, and thence gradually 
diminishes to the head of the bay, which terminates 
in a level beach of dark sand, extending across for a 
distance of 1200 feet. Here we pitched our magnetic 
tent for observation. The shores on each side are 
steep, and rise in a succession of terraces to the 
height of more than 1000 feet; the highest hill 
being on the north side, which attains an elevation of 
1350 feet, and from its form received the name of 
Table Mountain. * * * The weather being favour- 
able, it was determined to make a running survey of 
the west coast. 
Jan, 8 th . — Steamed out of Christmas Harbour, on 
a course S.S.E., along the coast, surveying and 
sounding as we go. The land is made up of rough 
sterile rocks ; the shore indented with bays and 
rivulets. The vegetation that exists is composed of 
