Narrative of the Circumnavigation of the Globe by the Austrian Frigate Novara, Volume I (Commodore B. Von Wullerstorf-Urbair,) Undertaken by Order of the Imperial Government in the Years 1857, 1858, & 1859, Under the Immediate Auspices of His I. and R. Highness the Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, Commander-In-Chief of the Austrian Navy.

CHAPTER VII.

Chapter 7123 wordsPublic domain

THE ISLANDS OF ST. PAUL AND AMSTERDAM, IN THE SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN.

Former History.--Importance of the Situation of St. Paul.-- Present Inhabitants.--Preliminary Observations.--To whom do the Islands belong?--Fisheries.--Hot springs.--Singular Experiment.--Penguins.--Disembarkation.--Inclement Weather.-- Remarks on the Climate of the Island.--Cultivation of European Vegetables.--Animal Life.--Library in a Fisherman's Hut.-- Narrative of old Viot.--Re-embarkation.--An official Document left behind.--Some Results obtained during the Stay of the Expedition.--Visit to the Island of Amsterdam.--Whalers.-- Search for a Landing-place.--Remarks on the Natural History of the Islands.--A Conflagration.--Comparison of the Two Islands.--A _Rencontre_ at Sea.--Trade-wind.--Christmas at Sea.--"A man overboard!"--Cingalese Canoe.--Arrival at Point de Galle, in Ceylon. 267