Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 2.djvu/464

420 rocks bounding the coast. Elevated as I was above them, and sitting amongst piles of rocks, I did not escape their keen, quick eyes; for I observed them, more than once, come to a halt to reconnoitre my position.

Off which the Expedition was so long beset amid pack-ice and a chain of bergs, in the last attempt to penetrate south, is, like other Antarctic lands, apparently of igneous formation. The first portion of it that we made appeared like a vast wreath of snow banked up against the horizon, extending from W. to S.E. by S. The central and highest part might be estimated at about 2000 feet above the level of the sea; sloping gradually down on either side to a low point. The coast-line alone, where bergs had been separated, presented an uneven surface. The highest point was marked by the tops of two black peaks, appearing through the mantle of snow, which enveloped the rest of the land.

A small snow-clad islet lies off its western extremity, about a league distant; and as we coasted along the southern portion, we passed a chain of six low islands, partially covered with snow, the exposed rock having the appearance of lava or basalt.

We next passed a large opening in the land, which had the appearance of a strait, bounded on the right by high, bold, black cliffs, which stood out in strong relief against the snow, with which the low left side was covered, sloping down towards the farthest visible extremity, where the strait appeared to curve round. The entrance is from four to five leagues in breadth, having a conical island in its centre, terminating in a crateriform peak, of black lava-like looking rock, nearly bare of snow. A large colony of penguins had established their rookery at its base, it being the breeding season. Cormorants, black-backed gulls, terns, white petrel, and the lestris