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

Dec. 1826. kiver gallegos. 9 securely attached itself vinder the skin, as not to be removed without cutting ofF a piece of the flesh with it. An undescribed species of Murcena was also taken. Whilst we were on shore, the Beagle moved eight or nine miles nearer to the Cape, where Captain Stokes landed to fix positions of remarkable land. One peaked hill, from the cir- cumstance of his seeing a large animal near it, he called Tiger Mount. Mr. Bowen shot a guanaco ; and being at a distance in shore, unable to procure assistance, he skinned and quar- tered it with his pocket-knife, and carried it upon his shoulders to the boat. Next morning the ships weighed, and proceeded towards Cape Virgins. When a-breast of Cape Fairweather, the opening of the river Gallegos was very distinctly seen ; but the examination of it was deferred to a future opportunity. Passing onward, the water shoaled to four fathoms, until we had passed exten- sive banks, which front the river. Our approach to the entrance of the Strait, although at- tended with anxiety, caused sensations of interest and pleasure not easily to be described. Though dangers were experienced by some navigators who had passed it, the comparative facility with which others had effected the passage showed that, at times, the difficulties were easily surmounted, and we were willing to suppose that in the former case there might have been some little exaggeration. The most complete, and, probably, the only good account of the navigation of the Strait of Magalhaens is contained in the narrative of Don Antonio de Cordova, who commanded the Spanish frigate Santa Maria de la Cabeza, on a voyage ex- pressly for the purpose of exploring the strait. It was pub- lished under the title of ' Ultimo Viage al Estrecho de Majral- lanes.' That voyage was, however, concluded with only the examination of the eastern part, and a subsequent expedition was made, under the command of the same officer, the account of which was appended to the Cabeza's voyage ; so that Cor- dova's expedition still retained the appellation of ' Ultimo