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the Magdalen Channel; but, upon leaving San Nicolas Bay
(1st April), the weather was so favourable for our proceeding
to the westward, that I changed my mind and steered round
Cape Frowai'd in order to get to Port Gallant, whence, with a
westerly wind, we might more easily survey the coast in returning.
An easterly breeze carried us near Cape Holland, into
Wood’s Bay, where we anchored, and obtained a bearing of
Mount Sarmiento, which, being clear of clouds, was a conspicuous,
and even splendid object; for the sun’s setting rays,
sliining upon the projecting snowy ridges on its western side,
gave it the appearance of a mass of streaky gold. It had been
in sight the whole day, as well as the preceding evening, when
its bearings were taken from the islet in San Nicolas Bay.
The next day was so calm that we only reached an anchorage
in Bradley Cove, on the west side of Bell Bay, of wliich a plan
was made; an extensive set of bearings was also taken on the
west point of the hay, evidently that called by Sarmiento
Tinquichisgua.* The conspicuous mountain at the back of the
bay, on its south-eastern, side, is particularly noticed by him,
and, according to his opinion, is the “ Campana de Roldan”
of Magalhaens.-f Between Bradley Cove and Point Tinquichisgua
are two coves, over which a high double-peaked mountain
forms a conspicuous object upon rounding Cape Froward ;
and they were named in compliment to Mr. Pond, the late
Astronomer Royal.
While at Point Tinquichisgua we were discovered by some
natives to the westward, who immediately got into their
canoes, and paddled towards u s ; but, as we had no arms in
the boat, I did not think it prudent to await their arrival;
and therefore, after taking the requisite angles, embarked and
retui-ned to the Adelaide, examining the inlets under Mount
Pond on our way. Nothing more was seen of the Indians
until the following morning, when, as we sailed out of the bay,
they made their appearance, but we did not communicate
• Sarmiento, p. 213,
t Este monte es el que llaraan las Relaciones antig’uas la Campana de
Roldan.—Sarmiento.
with them. They were as vociferous as usual, and pointed
to the shore, inviting us to land. One of them, who stood up
in the canoe while we passed, was ornamented about the hair
and body with white feathers.
This part of the Strait teems ivith whales, seals, and porpoises
’While we were in Bradley Cove, a remarkable appear-
mice of the water spouted by whales was observed; it hung in
the au- hke a bright silvery mist, and was visible to the naked
eye, at the distance of four miles, for one minute and thirty-
nve seconds before it disappeared.
A glance at the chart of this part of the Strait will show
the difference of geological structui-e in the opposite coasts.
I he north shore, from Cape Froward to Port Gallant, forms
a straight^ line, with scarcely a projection or bight; but on
t le opposite side there is a succession of inlets, surrounded
y precipitous mountains, which are separated by ravines. The
northern shore is of slate; but the other is principally of greenstone,
and Its mountains, instead of running up into sharp
peaks, and narrow serrated ridges, are generally round-topped.
Ih e vegetation on both sides is almost equally abundant, but
the trees on the south shore ai-e much smaller. The smoothleaved
beech {Fagus betuloides) and Winter’s-bark ai-e the
principal trees ; but here and there a small tree was observed,
hke a cypress, which does not grow to the eastward, excepting
on the sides of Mount Tarn, where it only reaches the heio-ht of
three or four feet.
The scenery of this part of the Strait, instead of being as
Cordova describes it, “ horrible,” is at this season exceedinMy
striking and picturesque. The highest mountains certainly are
are of vegetation; but their sharp peaks and snow-covered
summits afford a pleasing contrast to the lower hills, thickly
clothed with trees quite to the water’s side, which is bordered
by masses of bare rock, studded with ferns and moss, and
backed by the rich dark-green foliage of the berberis and
arbutus shrubs, with here and there a beech-tree, just be<.in-
nmg to assume its autumnal tints.
In working into the narrow entrance of Port Gallant, the
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