[122]

Rock was sonorous decomposing white externally in large angular fragments.─ parallel line of cleavage run ENE & WSW─ in a conical peak─ consecutive by ridges E 1/2 N W 1/3; I should think phonolite: rather than greenstone─

Hornblende & feldspar crystalline in various proportions:

From bottom of hills ─

916: 917 commonest marl with pyrites

918 much hornblende firm grained

919 much feldspar in acicular crystals & hornblend accicular : Summit of Katers peak

920 ─ less marked crystals ─ from very summit of Kater peak & probably surrounding country

921 [2 words illeg]

page in pencil.

[122v]

Examine texture of Limestone

921 ─ Piece of aluminous? impure limestone with much iron resembling that of Plymouth in fragments on beach Wigwam cove ─ : in considerable quantities

Some few antarctic Beech

Nearly the same alpine plants: ?? (What angle does Katers peak subtend Wigan Cove??

Dec^r 28^th. ─ Jerdan Island & northern parts of Hermit Island greenstone in the lower parts the rocks have by far most & most regular cleavage even so as to become slaty hills, all conical with curved sides; specimens decompose externally reddish brown: = M^r Sorrell says volcanoes & pumice

Sandwich land. M^r Weddell in S. Shetland Isles ─ Read & ask

["Sorrell, Thomas, 1797-? Was on all three Beagle voyages. 1832 Jul. Acting Boatswain on 2d voyage of the Beagle." Paul van Helvert & John van Wyhe, Darwin: A Companion, 2021, p. 401.
Weddell, James. 1827. A voyage towards the South Pole performed in the years 1822-24. Containing an examination of the Antarctic Sea, to the seventy-fourth degree of latitude: and a visit to Tierra del Fuego, with a particular account of the inhabitants. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green.]

[122a]

The whole of Hermit Island in character by these peaks: one necessarily attributes their origin at first sight to something different from the neighbouring rocks at Wollaston Island with its castellate summit

Find out general soundings amongst the Hermit Islands & the external bank mentioned by Cap Fitz Roy: The outer rocks as at False Cape Horn, much weathered: but the inlets although exposed in a direct line to the open ocean yet does not young show that waves do not enter deeper water always very smooth:─

The resemblance of the summit of Katers peak is its chemical constitution much resembles phonolite (as Fern Noronha) no less in its sonorous & tough properties: its numerous cleavage & its isolated peaks.─ it is a fine transition from one to the other rock:─

[122av]

= From Captains views no slate on the outer coast ─ & till better information it will be best to conclude the whole W hill as primitive & of separate origin from the Hermit group:

Diego Ramirez