Observations on South Shetland.

The map which accompanies the following observations, was sent us by Being near to these detached Mr. Richard Sherratt, who command-rocks, of which the north side of this ed one of the vessels which sailed to archipelago has a great quantity, it South Shetland, on the seal fishery, in is necessary to keep a very good look the autumn of 1820, which vessel was out, and to ascertain as soon as posunfortunately wrecked on that danger-sible what part of the land you are off,

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Observations on South Shetland.

and in a recent number, has claimed the exclusive honour of having furnished the first public notice of this discovery.

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with frozen snow; and to add to its desolation, you will hear every now and then a dreadful crash from the fall of the rocks and frozen snow, like distant thunder.

The map which accompanies the following observations, was sent us by "Being near to these detached Mr. Richard Sherratt, who command-rocks, of which the north side of this ed one of the vessels which sailed to archipelago has a great quantity, it South Shetland, on the scal fishery, in is necessary to keep a very good look the autumn of 1820, which vessel was out, and to ascertain as soon as posunfortunately wrecked on that danger- sible what part of the land you are off, ous coast. His observations are there- so that you may come to anchor in one fore founded on an actual survey of of the different bays or harbours. this stormy range of sterile rocks, and Esther Harbour is known by Round so far as his examination could ex- Island lying off it. The entrance of tend, the account may be considered Parry's Straits is known by Table as authentic. Land to the eastward, and Table Island to the westward; both of these Tables are of similar appearance, and you may see them both at the same time. Esther Harbour and Clothier Harbour are the two best anchorages on the north side, but Potter's Cove is the best harbour in the whole group that is at present known. I think there is safe anchorage in the inlets to the eastward and westward of Potter's Cove, but I had not an opportunity of going into them. Ships may bear down either in Esther Harbour or Potter's Cove with safety. The different anchorages to the westward are very poor, but it is the best place for seals; in fact the seal appears to make for the most dangerous places, either for the approach of ships or boats. There are few or none that come on shore on the south side of the land, but great quantities of sea elephants come on shore on the different points of land on the south side.

"The first intimation you have of being near South Shetland, is meeting with a great quantity of whales, of the black kind, and what are called the fin-back; you may thence conclude you are about 150 miles from land. Standing on to the southward, you will meet with innumerable penguins, so many that you would almost conclude the sea was animated. Continuing to stand to the south, and at about 20 leagues from land, you will meet with the seal, in shoals of hundreds together, and, as you approximate to the land, the seals and penguins are more numerous, but the whales more scarce. The first sight you have of the land, is at a distance of about 15 leagues, and its appearance is similar to a white cloud, ranging along the horizon from N.E. to S. W. Still standing on, you gain the land, until some parts touch the clouds, the whole being covered with eternal snow, save here and there a hill in the form of a cone or sugarloaf, which is of a very dark colour, and these dark spots are generally on the tops of mountains. Three of these are very remarkable; one over Esther Harbour, one over the Bay of Destruction, and one over Potter's Cove.

"Potter's Cove has on the east side of it, three remarkable hills, somewhat resembling three joints of the fingers when the hand is closed. These are called the Three Brothers, and they furnish an excellent mark for the Cove. (Vide the Chart). However, still approaching nearer the land, you will meet with detached rocks at from 3 to 5 leagues off; and the land wears now a most desolate and solitary appearance, nearly the whole of its front being immense precipices, covered

"This archipelago has every appearance of a volcanic eruption, and the higher you get upon the land, the more this conclusion is confirmed. The cones, of which I made mention, appear to have a large trench or ditch round them, from which I would infer that they may heave out lava at times, or it is probable that they may have been heaved up with the whole of the land, not many years since, by some great convulsion in nature. In fact, I think it strengthens this assertion, when I can aver, that not only the frozen snow, but the rocks themselves, are continually falling and tumbling away, and in such quantities, that you would conclude the whole of it must be levelled in 40 or 50 years.

"There are, on the top of some very high land which I have visited, three