Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle Part 58

_B. testa conico-fusiformi, fusca; anfractu basali ventricoso; spira mediocri; apertura fusca, lutescenti, patula; long. 1-15/16; lat.

1-1/8; poll._

_Habitat? Mus. Brit., nost., Brod._

64. BUCCINUM DEFORME.

_B. testa ovata, subponderosa, subalbida, fasciis duabus fuscis obscuris; spira brevi; anfractu basali subdepresso, suturam versus cra.s.so; columella valde callosa; long. 1-9/16; lat. 1 paulo plus; poll._

_Habitat ad flumen Plata_ (Gorriti). _Mus. Brit., nost._

The eggs of this sh.e.l.l, contained in a transparent orbicular nidus, the size of a turtle's egg, were found thrown up on the sea-beach of the island. In the month of January they were observed in all stages of growth.

A series was preserved in spirits, and presented to the College of Surgeons.

65. COLUMBELLA MITRIFORMIS.

_C. testa fusiformi, luteo-rufescente, fasciis nigro-castaneis, maculis albis tessellata; long. 7/16; lat. 3/16; poll._

_Habitat? Mus. Brit., nost., Brod._

66. MITRA PUSILLA.

_M. testa ovato-acuta, ventricosa, fulva, creberrime costata; costis interst.i.tiisque striatis, basi granulosa; spira brevi, anfractibus suturam supereminentibus; columella quinque-plicata; long. 5/8; lat.

5/16 paulo plus; poll._

_Habitat? Mus. nost._

The denticules of the outer lip are arranged in pairs, at regular, and somewhat distant, intervals.

67. VOLUTA.

A fragment of a turbinated sh.e.l.l, bearing marks more a.s.signable to Voluta than to any other genus, was found on the sea-beach in the neighbourhood of Cape Fairweather, on the east coast of Patagonia, in lat.i.tude 51 south.

The remains appear to differ from _Voluta Ancilla_ and _V. Brasiliana_.

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COPIES OF ORDERS.

His Majesty's surveying vessel Adventure, Sea Bear Bay.

SIR; 27th March 1829.

It is my direction, that when finally parting company from me, you proceed to the execution of the following orders, in company with the Adelaide schooner, the commander of which, upon our meeting him, will receive instructions to put himself under your command.

You will, as soon as possible, make the best of your way to Port Famine, stopping at Pecket Harbour to communicate with the Indians, should they be there, for the purpose of securing a supply of guanaco meat for the s.h.i.+p's company.

At Port Famine you will immediately detach Lieutenant Skyring, with a boat and boat's crew, in the Adelaide, to co-operate with Lieutenant Graves in surveying the Magdalen Channel and its communication with the sea; after which you will direct him to rejoin you, by the Barbara Channel, at Port Gallant, whither you will proceed, after completing your water at Port Famine; on your way to which, if you should have an opportunity, the following bays, on the south side of the Strait, might be planned, viz.

Lyell Bay, Cascade Bay, San Pedro Bay, and Freshwater Bay (or Cove). The coast also to the west of the Barbara Channel, behind the islands of Charles and Ulloa, should be examined; and of the northern arm of the Jerome Channel, called in the chart, Indian Sound, we know nothing.

If, after the return of the Adelaide, you should find the weather so favourable as to permit your extending your exploration of those parts of the Strait which are yet unknown to us, you will remain for that purpose; but, at all events, you are to leave the Strait by the middle of June, or the first of July at latest, and repair with the Adelaide to San Carlos, at the north end of Chiloe, where you will find or hear of me, by the 10th of August. {562}

In performing the above orders you will act as you may consider best for their most effectual execution, keeping in mind that the most desirable part is the survey of the Magdalen Channel.

From our experience, last year, of the weather during the months of April and May, I am in hopes of your being able to work during those months, with success; but should you meet with bad weather, you will be most careful in not exposing your people unnecessarily to the severity of the climate.

Upon detaching the Adelaide you will appoint Lieutenant Skyring to the superintendence of the service upon which she is sent, giving Lieutenant Graves instructions to that effect accordingly.

I have, &c.

(Signed) PHILLIP PARKER KING, Commander and Senior Officer.

His Majesty's surveying sloop Beagle, Port Famine.

SIR; April 19, 1829.

In obedience to the orders I have received from Commander Phillip Parker King, senior officer of the Expedition for the survey of a part of South America, it is my direction that you proceed immediately, in the Adelaide schooner, to survey as much of the Magdalen Channel and the Strait or Channel of Santa Barbara as you find practicable at this season of the year.

If, in the execution of this service, you should find the season too much advanced to proceed without much risk to the vessel, or exposing yourself and the men to much bad weather, you will give up the design, and hasten to Port Gallant.

Should the Beagle not be in Port Gallant at your return, and no letter left for you in a bottle, you will wait there one week, and then return to Port Famine. At all events, you will endeavour to rejoin the Beagle before the first week in June has ended.

I have, &c.

(Signed) ROBERT FITZ-ROY, Commander.

To Lieut. Wm. Geo. Skyring, His Majesty's sloop Beagle.

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SIR; Beagle, Port Famine, 19th April 1829.

In obedience to the orders I have received from Captain King, it is my direction that you put yourself under the orders of Lieut. Skyring, and proceed with him as he may think best for the execution of the service upon which he is ordered, and in which you will give him every a.s.sistance that you can afford.

Mr. Kirke, with a boat and boat's crew, will be sent to a.s.sist you.

I have, &c.

(Signed) ROBERT FITZ-ROY, Commander.

To Lieut. Thos. Graves, Commanding His Majesty's schooner Adelaide.