Hoary, gray, and bare, they were, as when first split out of the earth's flinty crust, and thrust above the waves.

The sun poured a flood of warm light over them; but no green thing could be discerned.

Either there was no soil, or else the bleak frost-winds effectually checked the outcrop of life.

To the south the Button Islands showed like brown patches on the shimmering waves.

The width of the straits at this point is given on the chart at twelve leagues,--thirty-six miles.