Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 2.djvu/326

290 the deciduous beech (Fagus Antarctica), of which the leaves fall at the approach of winter, after assuming the same tints, heightened by comparison with its evergreen neighbour, as characterise our English beech: its leaves are broader, of a thinner texture, paler and brighter green, and beautifully plaited. In the late spring of these antarctic regions, when any part of a day was occasionally warm and clear, the bursting of the young folded leaves of the deciduous beech, from the sheathing and gummy scales by which they had been protected during winter, was to us, who had seen no kind of tree for twelve months, nor any such sign of an English spring for upwards of thrice that period, a most agreeable phenomenon; rendered still more delightful by the resinous scent with which the woods were filled. Mingled with these beeches grow scattered trees of the Winter's bark (Drimys Winteri), so named after the discoverer, John Winter, the companion of Drake. The tree is tall and straight, with large glossy leaves, paler underneath. Every part is highly aromatic and warm to the taste; and the cortex affords the medicinal Winter's bark of commerce.

"The three trees, above described, occupy exactly the same position in Fuegia which the birch, oak, and mountain ash do in Scotland.

"There is a remarkable absence of undergrowth in the forests: few shrubs, and hardly any herbaceous plants appear. Among the former is the beautiful holly-leaved barberry, which, except the