Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 - No. 0215
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[Page 215]
Terra [Tierra] del Fuego
Janry 1769
of the countrey particularly near the sea coast was coverd with wood which observation was verified in both the bays we put into in either of which firing might have been got close by the beach in any quantity & some trees which to all appearance might be fit for repairing a vessel or even in case of necessity to make masts
The hills are high tho not to be calld mountains the tops of these however are quite bare & on them frequent patches of snow were to be seen when I was there tho the time of the year when we were there answerd to the beginning of July in England in the valleys between these the Soil has much the appearance of Fruitfullness & is in some places of a considerable depth at the bottom of each almost every one of these runs a brook the water of which in general has a reddish Cast like that which runs through turf bogs in England but is very well tasted.
Quadrupeds I saw none in the Island exept the Seals & Sea lions which we often saw swimming about in the bay might be calld such but Dr Solander & myself when we were on the top of the highest hill we