Mr RaineSs Notice in regard to Macquarie Island , 47 
snail shells, evidently carried thither by birds. Their elevation 
is from 500 to 1000 feet. 
The surface is covered with grass and vegetable mould, so 
much so that we could not observe the strata. We saw no 
crater, lava, or any appearance of volcanic origin. Being un- 
acquainted with mineralogy, we are unable to give a description 
of the rocks ; but having picked up a few specimens, we beg 
your acceptance of them. Amongst them is gypsum, obtained 
from a large mass on the beach, about 5 miles from the north 
end of the island, which must have fallen from the hills, as the 
cliff behind it contained many small loose pieces. There are no 
mineral or hot springs in the island. There are no four-footed 
animals. Of birds there are various sorts, viz. penguins, alba- 
trosses, boobies, the sea or Port Egmont hen, shags, wild duck, 
teal, several kind of petrels, parrots, widgeons, or tussock fowl, 
a kind of bird that cannot fly, and the mutton-bird. All the 
small birds, even the parrot, make their nests under ground, so 
that the declivity of the mountains appears like a rabbit warren. 
The only domesticated animals are the dogs, taken thither by 
the sealers for the purpose of catching birds. At one time the 
island abounded with seals, but now it is a very rare thing to 
see one ; and only four were killed last year. The Phoca leonina , 
sea-elephant, or sea-cow, however, is still plentiful, and alone 
makes the island valuable in a commercial view ; and for the 
oil obtained from this animal we visited the island. The male 
sea-elephant is called the Bull, and the female the Clapmatch. 
They live upon fish, shrimps, and squid, but, when on shore, are 
never seen to eat any thing. They will remain for weeks in a state 
almost of torpidity, scarcely moving, if not disturbed, until they 
are very lean, and so weak as to be scarcely able to reach the 
water. On their first coming up, the bulls will yield a ton of oil 
each ; but, in general, it requires three bulls, or ten clapmatches, 
to yield that quantity ; the difference being so great between male 
and female. 
The skins have been put to no use hitherto, except for making 
caps to the men on the island ; but it is thought that they will 
be valuable for making wheel-ropes, coarse thongs, coach-har- 
ness, and glue. The blubber lies immediately under the skin, 
is about three inches thick on the clapmatches, and from two 
