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

264 CATTLE DEPOT PRODUCE. it seems to me the very best situation for locating those bad characters who are unfit to remain at home. But to whomso- ever it may happen to colonize these islands, there can be no doubt that industry will be well rewarded, that health, safety, and a fi-equent communication with the mother country, will be as certain as in any other colony, and that the only draw- backs to be anticipated are those likely to be caused by wind and deficiency of solar heat. Animals increase rapidly, and the quality of their hides or fur improves. Cows give a large quantity of excellent milk, from which good butter and cheese may be made. Not long since, a letter was received from the Hon. George Grey, Cap- tain of H.M.S. Cleopatra, in which he said that the milk and butter at Howick was not superior to that which he tasted at the Falklands. In the event of steamers engaging in the navi- gation of those seas,* a port of supply and repair, in short, a maritime depot would be required, in or near Tierra del Fuego; but no such establishment could easily be formed there without a military foixe, and occasional hostilities with the natives, whereas, at the Falklands, the only native opponents would be foxes, horses, and bulls.-f- This immense advantage over most habitable and fertile countries — the having no abo- riginal population — should be duly considered by those who may contemplate planting a colony there. Weddell says, " A settlement at this point of the South Atlantic would evidently afford great facilities to navigation. The extensive tracts of ground, well clothed with grass, and the quantity of fine cattle running wild on the island, are sufficient proofs of its being a country that might be settled to advantage. The win- ters are mild, the temperature being seldom so low as the freezing point. Several of my crew, indeed, went without * From Concep.cion (37° S.) to Elizabeth Island, near the eastern entrance of Magalhaens Strait, there is every where abundance of wood fuel for steamers. i It is very dangerous for persons on foot to approach the wild horses or cattle, especially the bulls, unless they are armed with rifles or balls (bolas) ; and even then, no one ought to venture alone.