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

APPENDIX. 311 Tlie Falkland Islands, Tierra del Fuego,* the west part of Pata- gonia, the shores of the Chonos Archipelago, and Chil6e,t those of Chile and Peru, and the Galapagos Islands, have bold coasts, with deep water near them ; — in such places the lead is of less importance. Most lurking dangers are buoyed by kelp ; but where they are not so distinguished, the lead would hardly warn the seaman of them, because rocks usually rise so abruptly. A careful and experienced eye at the masthead, another perhaps on the fore-yard or at the jib- boom end, a manageable quantity of sail, under which the vessel may be instantly brought to the wmd or hove in stays, and a good estimation of distances by the commancUng officer will be of more consequence in frequenting these coasts, than either lead or directions. San Carlos and the Narrow of Chacao are remarkable exceptions. Both banks and rocks are thei-e to be guarded against — by chart, eye, and lead, however, rather than by lengthy directions, which sometimes pei-plex more than they assist. Of these a particular plan is given iu the map which accompanies the first volume of this work. Remarks upon the winds, weather, and cUmate of each of the southern portions of the South American coast have already been given in variovis pages of this work ; but I will add some more, refer- ring particularly to the outer coast of Tierra del Fuego, previous to saying a few words on the passage round Cape Horn. Some Observations upon the Ajipearance and Character of the Sea Coast of Tierra del Fuego ; a brief Description of the Anchorages ; and a few Remarks upon the Seasons, Wmd, and Weather. From Cape PiUar to Cape Horn the coast of Tierra del Fuego is very irregular and much broken ; being, in fact, composed of an immense number of islands. It is generally high, bold, and free from shoals or banks ; but there are many rocks nearly level with the surface of the water, distant two aiad even three miles from the nearest shore, which make it veiy unsafe for a vessel to approach nearer than five miles, excepting in daylight and clear weather. Tlie coast varies in height from eight to fifteen hundred feet above the sea. * Except the northernmost and the eastern shores, t Except San Carlos de ChiI6e.