- CLIMATE OF THE SOUTHERN COASTS
Strait of Magellan - Port Famine - Ascent of Mount Tarn -
Forests - Edible Fungus - Zoology - Great Sea-weed - Leave
Tierra del Fuego - Climate - Fruit-trees and Productions
of the Southern Coasts - Height of Snow-line on the
Cordillera - Descent of Glaciers to the Sea - Icebergs
formed - Transportal of Boulders - Climate and Productions
of the Antarctic Islands - Preservation of Frozen Carcasses -
Recapitulation.
IN THE end of May, 1834, we entered for a second time
the eastern mouth of the Strait of Magellan. The country
on both sides of this part of the Strait consists of
nearly level plains, like those of Patagonia. Cape Negro, a
little within the second Narrows, may be considered as the
point where the land begins to assume the marked features
of Tierra del Fuego. On the east coast, south of the Strait,
broken park-like scenery in a like manner connects these two
countries, which are opposed to each other in almost every
feature. It is truly surprising to find in a space of twenty
miles such a change in the landscape. If we take a rather
greater distance, as between Port Famine and Gregory Bay,
that is about sixty miles, the difference is still more
wonderful. At the former place, we have rounded mountains
concealed by impervious forests, which are drenched with the
rain, brought by an endless succession of gales; while at
Cape Gregory, there is a clear and bright blue sky over the
dry and sterile plains.
