Lieutenant Wilkes, in the American exploring expedition, first discovered this, and mapped out some part of the coast, putting a few clouds in likewise--a mistake easily made by those who omit to verify every foot of land.

Sir James Ross, in his most successful South Pole Expedition, during the years 1839-43, sailed over some of this land, and confirmed the rest.

The Antarctic, as well as the Arctic honours he secured for England, by turning a corner of the land, and sailing far southward, along an impenetrable icy barrier, to the latitude of seventy-eight degrees, nine minutes.

It is an elevated continent, with many lofty ranges.

On the extreme southern point reached by the ships, a magnificent volcano was seen spouting fire and smoke out of the everlasting snow.