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2G2 F A L K L A N D I S L A N D S . March, 1834.
Our conception of a compound animal,* where in some
respects the individuality of each is not completed, may he
aided, hy reflecting on the production of two distinct creatures
by bisecting one with a knife, or where nature herself
performs the task. AVe may consider the polypi in a
zoophyte, or the buds in a tree, as cases where the division of
the individual has not been completely effected. In this
kind of generation, the individuals seem produced only with
relation to the present time; their numbers are multiplied,
but their life is not extended beyond a fixed period. By the
other, and more artificial kind, through intermediate steps or
ovules, the relation is kept up through successive ages. By
the latter method many peculiarities, which are transmitted
by the former, are obliterated, and the character of the species
is limited; while on the other hand, certain peculiarities
(doubtless adaptations) become hereditary and form races.
AVe may fancy that in these two circumstances we see a
step towards the final cause of the shortness of life.
* AYith r eg a rd to a s so c ia te d life, a n im a ls o f o th e r classes b e sid e s th e
m o llu sc a a n d r a d ia ta p r e s e n t o b s c u re in s ta n c e s o f it. T h e b e e c o u ld n o t
liv e b y itse lf. A n d in th e n e u te r , w e s e e a n in d iv id u a l p ro d u c e d w h ich is
n o t fitte d fo r th e r e p ro d u c tio n o f its k in d— t h a t h ig h e s t p o in t a t w h ich
th e o rg a n iz a tio n o f a ll an im a ls , e sp e c ia lly th e low e r o n e s , te n d s— th e r e fo
re su c h n e u te r s a re b o rn a s m u ch fo r th e g o o d o f th e com m u n ity , a s th e
lea f-b u d is fo r t h e tre e .
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C H A P T E R X I l l .
S tra it o f M a g e lla n— I’o i t F am in e— G e o lo g y— D e e p w a te r in c h a n n e ls—
E r r a tic b o u ld e r s— C lim a te— L im i t o f f ru it tr e e s— M e a n t em p e r a tu r e—
L u x u r ia n t fo re s ts— R ig o u r o f a n ta r c tic isla n d s— C o n tr a s t w ith th e
n o r th — S n ow -lin e , g r e a t f le x u re o f—G l a c ie r s— Ic e b e rg s tr a n s p o r t
fra gm en ts o f ro c k — G la c ie r in low l a t i tu d e— A b s e n c e o f e rr a tic
b lo ck s in in te r tro p ic a l reg io n s — G la c ie rs a n d tro p ic a l v e g e ta tio n
— C om p a riso n w ith n o r th e rn h em is p h e re— S ib e ria n a n im a ls in ic e—
Em b e d d e d in c o ld m u d— E d ib le fu n g u s— Z o o lo g y— F u c u s g ig a n te u s—
L e a v e T i e r r a d e l F u e g o .
S T R A I T O F M A G E L L A N .
I n the end of May, 1 8 3 4 , we entered for the second time
the eastern mouth of the Strait of Magellan. Having beat
our way against wind and wave we anchored at Gregory
Bay, and had an interview with the so-caUed gigantic
Patagonians; of whom Captain FitzRoy has given so good an
account. The country on both sides of the strait, in this
part, consists of level plains, like those of the rest of Patagonia.
Cape Negro, a little past the second narrow, 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 point. It is truly surprising to find in
a space of twenty miles such a change in the landscape. If
we take rather a 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. The atmospheric cur