XIII 
LARGE NUMBERS OF SEALS 
303 
structure of these mountains. The complicated and lofty 
ranges bore a noble aspect of durability—equally profitless, 
however, to man and to all other animals. Granite to the 
geologist is classic ground : from its widespread limits, and its 
beautiful and compact texture, few rocks have been more 
anciently recognised. Granite has given rise, perhaps, to more 
discussion concerning its origin than any other formation. 
We generally see it constituting the fundamental rock, and, how¬ 
ever formed, we know it is the deepest layer in the crust of this 
globe to which man has penetrated. The limit of man’s know¬ 
ledge in any subject possesses a high interest, which is perhaps 
increased by its close neighbourhood to the realms of imagination. 
January r st, 1835.—The new year is ushered in with the 
ceremonies proper to it in these regions. She lays out no false 
hopes ; a heavy north-western gale, with steady rain, bespeaks 
the rising year. Thank God, we are not destined here to see 
the end of it, but hope then to be in the Pacific Ocean, where 
a blue sky tells one there is a heaven,— a something beyond 
the clouds above our heads. 
The north-west winds prevailing for the next four days, we 
only managed to cross a great bay, and then anchored in 
another secure harbour. I accompanied the Captain in a boat 
to the head of a deep creek. On the way the number of seals 
which we saw was quite astonishing : every bit of flat rock 
and parts of the beach were covered with them. They 
appeared to be of a loving disposition, and lay huddled together, 
fast asleep, like so many pigs ; but even pigs would have been 
ashamed of their dirt, and of the foul smell which came from 
them. Each herd was watched by the patient but inauspicious 
eyes of the turkey-buzzard. This disgusting bird, with its bald 
scarlet head, formed to wallow in putridity, is very common on 
the west coast, and their attendance on the seals shows on 
what they rely for their food. We found the water (probably 
only that of the surface) nearly fresh : this was caused by the 
number of torrents which, in the form of cascades, came 
tumbling over the bold granite mountains into the sea. The 
fresh water attracts the fish, and these bring many terns, gulls, 
and two kinds of cormorant. We saw also a pair of the 
beautiful black-necked swans, and several small sea-otters, the 
fur of which is held in such high estimation. In returning, we 
