Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-06

sharp knife. Examine closely lump of bal
sam bog and you will find it covered with tiny
hexagonal markings like the calices of a wealth
cred piece of coral. These are the circlets Of
leaves and leaf buds, terminating multitude
OF stems. which for centuries have gone on
growing with extreme slowness-ever since the
now enormous plant started out a single shoot
from tiny reed. When the sun shines warm
1t gives forth a pleasant aromatic odor and the
yellowlsh Gstringent gum that exudes from the
top is priced by the shepherds as a vulnerary.
OI most of the islands a shrub abouuds
which the people use for tea. though it bears
no resemblance TO the Chinese plant or to the
famous mate of Paraguay and Brazil 1t is a
species of adianth. bearing fragrant whito
berry, and the leaves. infused in boiling water,
make an agreeable beverage. In the Falklunds,
as IN al antarctic America, celery grows in wild
luxuriance.
Late as 1867 there was not single settler on
West Falkland. though it is so miles long by %
miles wide. and separated from its twin island
only by n narrow sound. 1t is more hilly than
any of the other islands. being crossed by q
rugged range whose highest peak attains an
altitude of 2.270 feet. Just twenty-five years
ago the English government, having learned
that West Falkland contained some OF the best
grazing grounds in the world, issued a procla-
matIon offering greatinducements to colonists,
with the happy result that in ten months time
every acre of available land was occupied, and
Tor several years past the annual export Of
ilnest wool from this one island has averaged
800 pounds.
FoRLoEN APPEARANCE OF WEST FALKLAND.
The general appearance of West Falkland
Is about as forlorn as can well be imagined
vast tracts of somber moorland, unrelieved by
tree or shrub, traversed by rocky ridges and
limited BY low coast upon which surf RACES
with continual violence. Nothing can be more
dismal than the view from any hilltop-black
bog and moorland. far as the eye can reach,
intermixed by innumerable pools of greenish-
brown water. A peculiar feature of the
geology of the country Is that it abounds in
streams, not OF water. but of stones, which ap-
pear to dow down the hillsdes. These streams
are often quarter of a mile wide and the
stones vary from one to five feet cube. As
Tor genuine rivers, there are none OF any con-
sequence on the islands. San Carlos, on East
Falkland, being the largest-about thirty miles
long and nowhere navigable. Fortunately for
so cold country there is a great deal of peat,
which everybody burns the year round for
fuel Some of the peat beds are Of great size
and depth, very dense and bituminous at the
bottom, and the supply is Inexhaustible. The
settlers claim that the freedom from timber Is
an advantage rather than an objection. because
the land requires no clearing except from the
stones. and the latter make excellent fencing
and building material
The most interesting village Of West Falk
land Is Port Egmont. where the first British
colony was founded Tin l765) after Commodore
sole defense and chief ornament Is a large tim
Der block house, which made in England
many years ago and brought out in pieces, and
would be about as useful as an egg shell against
modern implements of warfare. To pin an
old ESmonter down to an evenings EARNING
about his -'hair-breadth 'scapes' in whaling
and sealing is one of the most interesting ex-
perIences to be met with in this part OF the
world. AT one time the Falkland Island trade
IN whale and seal oil and seaiskins was of great
value, but 1t is now almost at an end, for those
huge sea animals frequent these shores in
Yearly diminished numbers.
Seal hunters pursue their adventurous calling
on much the same plan as miners In our own
lar west Used to go prospecting on grub
stake that is, they hire boat by agreeing to
pay Its owner IA certain share of what they may
bring back, employ d crew ON the same terms
select one Of their number for captain, obtain
their provisions from some accommodating
dealer Is they did the boat and start of on a
three or four months expedition among the
islands Whaling in these waters is now prn-
cIpally followed by Observation-Disclosures
and others-who have their headquarters on
New Island, on the western archipelago, l have
heard many wild and startling incidents con-
nected with their lives, but the hardy seamen
have proved their intelligence and attention to
the scientific side of their business by the varied
information they have sent to the U. s. hydro
graphic department.
The most terrifying looking beasts ever met
in their natural state the sea lions that
abound along the Falkland considerations
fellows, large as young bullocks. with long
bUshy hair on the head and breast The face
Is short and broad, like that of a bulldog, but
infinitely more savage; the rough name hangs
thick around the ears and the mouth is armed
With two long. crooked teeth in either jaw
The ugly creatures tail is divided into two
large hippers, each fipper having five nails,
ana by the aid OF these, which he moves side
ways, assisted by his two front fippers, he
scrambles along the rocks as fast as a man can
walk. but not for long, being soon ''winded"
BY his own excessive fairness. The blubber is
spread over the whole body six or eight inches
thick and makes excellent lamp oil The flesh
Is eaten by many. and can testify to the fact
that the liver OF the young ones is a moroccan
mt for an eplcure. The honess is considerably
smaller than the male. and though quite fierce
IN defense of her cubs. having been known to
tear of human legs and arms when inte.fered
with, Is at other times gentle and timid.
That enormous species OF seal otherwise
known as the trunk nose is called by the Falk-
iauders the clapmatch, and. though of aston
Ishing bulk, often thirty feet long is an iuof-
fensIye creature. It's strong point" like that
of many human beings, is its stomach-a car
tilaginous substance hard as bone resisting
the edge OF knife. Egg hunting during its
season commencing in OCTOBER Is great fun
because sure to be attended with brilliant sue
cess and millions of penguin eggs and those
OF other wild birds sold in the Falkland
markets at an average rate Of 10 cents the
dozen
VISITING A PENGUIN CITY.
During our recent cruise we went ashore on
4 sequestered island to view what the captain
called penguin CITY," Sure enough, the
Whole island. comprising perhaps fifty acres,
was laid oil IN regular squares by streets run
ming at right Angles, the lines straight and
true a surveyor could have drawn them. As
l. well known, penguins spend their lives on
the water except during the breeding season,
when they are Obliged to seek the shore. You
will hardly believe me, but it is nevertheless
true. that the birds not only lay out their city in
blocks, but pick up all the loose stones till the
whole place is smooth as a board floor. Then
they take possession in couples. each pair Sc
lectIng u home slte-not to build a nest but
merely to pre-empt particular spot ON the
bare ground
The hen lays one egg, and only one, and dur
ing the time of incubation the male bird brings
her food from the sits on the egg awhile
himself If she wants to go out to take q swim
But IN this case. in manv others, virtue Is
not hts own exceeding great reward" because
the lady penguin> grow SO fat and sleek under the
good care OF their faithful husbands that they
are the more eagerly hunted at that particular
season The old birds are too tough and fishy
TO be relished by man or beast, but the tender
young matrons are IN great demand, both Tor
their flesh and Oil. Even the eggs have an OILY
and fishy flavor and taste as hens eggs might If