The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-13

niyora, human or otherwise-their skins being tho
chief article OF barter and their bones fertilizing
the land. They belong to the family OF Came
lida, which includes the camel and dromedary
OF the Old World and the llama and vicuna OF the
New, tho two latter being closely allied species
They are widely distributed throughout the South
American continent from the southern extremity
OF Fuego over nearly the whole OF Patagonia and
along the chain OF the Andes far north as Peru.
The earliest recorded description OF tho species,
given by companion OF Magellan on his celebrated
great cars like unto mule, with the body of q
camel and tayle OF a horse" Although this Is not
altogether untrue, they are much more graceful
to produce, having long, slender, curved necks
and fine, clean cut legs. They. are covered
with soft hair, several inches In length ranging
from fawn color above to yellow or snow-white
on the under parts. Their faces convey the idea OF
gen,teness and Intelligence the eye being large,
Ike the WINNING OF a yearling colt but Is on Q
higher PITCH They have an awkward, stumbling
run, but are said to distance the swtest horses.
After first sighting them there was hardly moment
for the rest OF the day that there were not some IN
me field OF vision, and their numbers were aston
viduals to several hundreds, and were very difficult
to approach the ground afOrdng no cover whatever,
and their senses OF sight and smell being very keen
We noticed that while the herd was feeding on
hillside there was always one solitary individual
posted on the summit as sentry. who gave , the
exception to this rule During tho day we were
fortunate enough to approach one big buck nom
in bringing him down. The skin was carefully pre-
served for mounting and the choicest pieces Of flesh
When Mount Aymond was reached and assembled
1t was pronounced by Count POultales to be the
ftv or 81 sxtV Similar ones We're plainly visible The
four lower, adjoining peaks called his -Four Sons"
OF by the older and quainter nomenclature-"rh
Asses Ears, were also volcanic. As far as we know
II supposed up to the present time that no vol
canoes existed on the Sonth American continent
except on the line Of the Andes, and although the
locality is not difficult to reach this interesting and
important observation had never been previously
made.
On our return to the vessel at dusk bearing one
guanaco ana an upland goose the only game we
had secured, we found that the other party, under
the guidance OF Professor AgassfZ, had collected
many valuable specimens. The Professor had found
ndubitable proof OF glacial action cratic boulders
ana anu tna o.
sage OF sheet of Ice In northward direction over
this portion of the country. When taken In connec-
tiOn with similar discoveries at Port San Antonio
these facts seem to offer some other explanation Of
the spread OF the gravel and drift over Patagonia
than that OF an elevation OF the continent although
such an elevation may have taken place. Indeed
one of the observations made by the Professor on
that day tends to confirm that theory In
nat-topped peak, nameless up to that time,
but now rejoicing in the cognomen of No
portion OF the party on that occasion. There, ut
an elevation OF 2G0 feet salt water lake found,
containing marine shells closely resembling those
Of tile present day, tho water being much salter
than ordinary sen water, but not differing from 1t
in any or its constituents.
Early on the next morning, March II, we resumed
our course, passed the iirst and second narrows
where the coasts OF Patagonia and Fuego approach
to within two or three miles OF each other and an
chOred In Royal Road that portion OF the strait in
Guided between Elizabeth Island ana the coast OF
Patagonia.
We went ashore on the Island manned after Queen
Elizabeth by sir Francis Drake and spent the rest
Of the time, until evening, In gathering such specl
mems as 1t contained. IT Is edged on every side by
steep ellis, in many places nearly perpendicular,
while In the centre there are grassy meadows or
marshes. These inhabited by wild ducks and
geese, and our men soon discovered that they were
able to run down and capture the young ones, and
in this way number OF living ducks or ducklings
were secured. The view from the submits OF the
marginal hills was very beautiful; the little rocky
islands In the harbOr, made golden by the setting
sun, the snowy mountain peaks on the horizon
gonia, lit by the fires OF Indian encamp-
ments combined to make superb picture
ony .ae % y we p ui oee mna
ordinary places we have yet seen. 1t was perfect
rookery, being literally covered with gus, cormo-
rants wild geese and penguins who greeted us on
our arrival with dscOrdant outcries. The penguins
the characteristic inhabitants and the ground
was everywhere undermined by the holes inhabited
by them. great deal OF amusement was afforded
us by noticing their curious, man-ike movements,
and by peeping in upon their domestic seclusion
furbed manner, but with a meditative rolling OF
the head from side to side, fthey were DESTROYS
Of regarding the situation from every available
point of view. As many of them were considered
desirable for specimens were easily caught as they
are very awkward ana helpless Wnen on lana. inc
short, pumeless wings, which they use as fins with
much dexterty In the water, serves as an extra
pair Of legs on shore, but do not add much to the
celebrity OF their movements. There were many
skeletons of lions found on the beach, and one
living one was killed by the men with
clubs. These animals, In spite Of their
ferocious aspect, are said to be quite
harmless and even to be susceptible OF sort OF do
mesticaton. AS specimens were so easily secured
our work was satisfactorily completed before noon,
and started for this place. which reached about
two p. NJ the distance being only eighteen or nine.
teen miles. Up to the present time this portion Of
cruise has been highly satisfactory, the weather
being much finer than we had any reason to antic-
pate, and the work being more easily and quickly
accomplished than was supposed to be possible.
Tie discovery Of glacial markings ana erratic
boulders or pebbles at Montevideo, Possession Bag
and on both Elizabeth and Magdalena Islands has
formed valuable link In the chain which is binding
together the geological histories OF the Southern
and Northern hemspheres. The work OF collecting
geological specimens has been successful could
be desired. and many very rare or entirely new
species will hereafter aid the naturalist in throw
ing light on disputed questions. Altogether, we
have reason to be thankful for the numerous oppor-
tunties OF prosecuting our work which have been
afforded u.s. and to hope for similar blessings in the
future
We will probably leave here tomorrow and will
arrive ut TalcahuanO I'm two or three weeks.