274 
CRUISE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
April 11 th . — Early this morning the light on Ku- 
wanon Saki, at the entrance of Yedo Bay, was seen 
shining brilliantly, and as the day advanced, wind 
fell light, steam was got up, and we proceeded on to- 
wards the anchorage. Island after island comes in 
view as the bay is entered ; many of most picturesque 
form, with numerous fishing villages scattered along 
the coast. As we move on, places of great interest 
are passed : Yokosuka, and soon Kanagawa, then 
Treaty Point, and Mandarin Bluff, &c., each place 
having a little history of its own in connection with 
the early days of the Europeans in Japan. 
Yokohama is now before us, with the sacred 
mountain Fuji-yama, the snow on its high peak look- 
ing like frosted silver as it stretches away in the 
distance, pointing, cone-like, high into the clouds, and 
far above the elevation of the blue mountains that 
surround it. On reaching the harbour, and at anchor, 
the rew T ard begins. It happened to be a fine day on 
our arrival, the sun was shining brightly, and the 
few passing clouds cast fleeting shadows on the fine 
panorama of hills which form the background, pro- 
ducing one of the most pleasing landscapes possible 
to see. Even to ordinary observers of the picturesque, 
there was much to compensate for the long, weari- 
some, monotonous voyage. Many ranges of hills, in 
graceful lines, carry the eye far into the distance ; 
while the beauty of the shore, with its luxuriant foli- 
age, is aided by cloud and sunshine, which give a most 
