The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. II. Being the Second of the First VoyageCook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. II. Being the Second of the First Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
I have already observed, that on the 11th, when we were off the southern
part, the land then seen was craggy and mountainous, and there is great
reason to believe that the same ridge of mountains extends nearly the
whole length of the island. Between the westermost land which we saw
that day, and the eastermost which we saw on the 13th, there is a space
of about six or eight leagues, of which we did not see the coast, though
we plainly discovered the mountains inland. The sea-coast near Cape West
is low, rising with an easy and gradual ascent to the foot of the
mountains, and being in most parts covered with wood. From Point Five
Fingers, down to latitude 44° 20ʹ, there is a narrow ridge of hills that
rises directly from the sea, and is covered with wood: close behind
these hills are the mountains, extending in another ridge of a
stupendous height, and consisting of rocks that are totally barren and
naked, except where they are covered with snow, which is to be seen in
large patches upon many parts of them; and has probably lain there ever
since the creation of the world: a prospect more rude, craggy, and
desolate than this country affords from the sea, cannot possibly be
conceived, for, as far inland as the eye can reach, nothing appears but
the summits of rocks, which stand so near together, that instead of
valleys there are only fissures between them. From the latitude of 44°
20ʹ, to the latitude of 42° 8ʹ, these mountains lie farther inland, and
the sea-coast consists of woody hills and valleys, of various height and
extent, and has much appearance of fertility: many of the valleys form
plains of considerable extent, wholly covered with wood, but it is very
probable that the ground, in many places, is swampy, and interspersed
with pools of water. From latitude 42° 8ʹ, to 41° 30ʹ, the land is not
distinguished by any thing remarkable: it rises into hills directly from
the sea, and is covered with wood; but the weather being foggy while we
were upon this part of the coast, we could see very little inland,
except now and then the summits of the mountains, towering above the
cloudy mists that obscured them below, which confirmed my opinion that a
chain of mountains extended from one end of the island to the other.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account