358 
CRUISE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER . 
and opening into large gulfs and sounds. By noon 
we were off Fortescue Bay, where it was decided 
to remain for a short time for dredging. On the 
somewhat cleared spaces could be seen the fires of 
the Fuegians, and well can I remember when last 
here seeing the canoes alongside, with the natives 
screaming and gesticulating for “ tabac.” Some of 
them had small seal-skins over their shoulders, but 
the greater number, both of men and women, were 
entirely naked ; and considering the severity of the 
weather, it seems strange how they exist. Yet with 
all this there is no reason to believe that these people 
are decreasing in numbers ; therefore we must sup- 
pose that they enjoy a sufficient share of happiness, 
of whatever kind it may be, to make life worth 
having. Nature, by making habit omnipotent, and 
its effects hereditary, has fitted the Fuegian to the 
climate and the production of his miserable country. 
Proceeding on our way, at 4 p.m. we were off 
Cape Froward (the most southern point of South 
America), Here we encountered some fierce squalls 
(williwaws) of wind rushing down the gorges and 
channels. We shortened all sail and steamed on the 
remainder of the way, until reaching Port Famine, 
where we stopped for the night. It was here the 
first penal settlement was established by the Chilian 
government in the straits, in 1843. This place 
expresses by its name the lingering and extreme 
suffering of several hundreds of Spaniards, who had 
