Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.1): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

SURVEYING VOYAGES OP THE ADVENTURE and the BEAGLE, 1826—1830. CHAPTER I. Departure from Monte Video — Port Santa Elena — Geological remarks — Cape Fairweather — Non-existence of Chalk — Natural History Approach to Cape Virgins, and the Strait of Magalhaens (or Magellan). We sailed from Monte Video on the 19th of November 1826; and, in company with the Beagle, quitted the river Plata. According to my Instructions, the Survey was to commence at Cape San Antonio, the southern Limit of the entrance of the Plata ; but, for the following urgent reasons, I decided to begin with the southern coasts of Patagonia, and Tierra del Fuego, including the Straits of Magalhaens.* In the first place, they presented a field of great interest and novelty ; and secondly, the climate of the higher southern latitudes being so severe and tempestuous, it appeared important to encounter its rigours while the ships were in good condition — while the crews were healthy — and while the charms of a new and diffi- cult enterprize had full force. * Commonly called Magellan. See p. 11. VOL. I. B