Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

CAUTIONS — VIEW. 247 avoided ; it may be known at a glance, by the irregular hud- dled look which it has. OfF the south-east shores of the Falk- lands there are several rocky shallows, on which the sea breaks heavily during south-east gales, though not at other times : all those shallows are marked by kelp, and in one place, thus indicated, not more suspicious in appearance than others, a rock was found, almost 'awash' at low Avater. Many wrecks have occurred, even on the land-locked shores of harbours themselves, and in 1833-4, some of their remains served as a warning to strangers to moor their ships securely : but with good ground tackle, properly disposed, and the usual precautions, a vessel will lie in absolute safety, as the holding- ground is excellent : indeed, in many places so tenacious, that it is exceedingly difficult to weigh an anchor which has been some time down. Particular directions for making the land, approaching and entering harbours, and taking advantageous berths, will be found in another place : generally speaking, the local pilotage is very simple. The country is remarkably easy of access to persons on foot; but half-concealed rivulets and numerous bogs, oblige a mounted traveller to be very cautious. There are no trees any where, but a small bush is plentiful in many vallies. Scarcely any view can be more dismal than that from the heights : moor- land and black bog extend as far as eye can discern, intersected by innumerable streams, and pools of yellowish brown water. But this appearance is deceptive ; much of what seems to be a barren moor, is solid sandy clay soil, covered by a thin layer of vegetable mould, on which grow shrubby bushes and a' coarse grass, affording ample nourishment to cattle ; besides which, one does not see into many of the vallies where there is good soil and pasture. Some tracts of land, especially those at the south of East Falkland, differ in character, being low, level, and abundantly productive of excellent herbage. Mr. Darwin's volume will doubtless afford information as to the aeoloffical formation of the Eastern Falkland. He did not visit the western island, but obtained many notices of it from