CHAP. XI 
GIGANTIC PATAGONIANS 
245 
Gregory Bay, that is about sixty miles, the difference is still more 
wonderful. At the former place we have rounded mountains 
concealed by impervious forests, which are drenched with the 
rain brought by an endless succession of gales ; while at Cape 
Gregory there is a clear and bright blue sky over the dry and 
sterile plains. The atmospheric currents, 1 although rapid, 
turbulent, and unconfined by any apparent limits, yet seem to 
follow, like a river in it's bed, a regularly determined course. 
During our previous visit (in January), we had an interview 
at Cape Gregory with the famous so-called gigantic Patagonians, 
PATAGONIANS FROM CAPE GREGORY. 
who gave us a cordial reception. Their height appears greater 
than it really is, from their large guanaco mantles, their long 
flowing hair, and general figure : on an average their height is 
about six feet, with some men taller and only a few shorter ; 
and the women are also tall ; altogether they are certainly the 
tallest race which we anywhere saw. In features they strikingly 
1 The south-westerly breezes are generally very dry. January 29th, being at 
anchor under Cape Gregory : a very hard gale from W. by S., clear sky with few 
cumuli ; temperature 57 0 , dew-point 36°,—difference 21 0 . On January 15th, at Port 
St. Julian : in the morning light winds with much rain, followed by a very heavy 
squall with rain,—settled into heavy gale with large cumuli,—cleared up, blowing 
very strong from S.S.W. Temperature 6o°, dew-point 42 0 ,—difference 18 0 . 
