number; but there are only two of any considerable magnitude. Their greatest extent is from north-north-east to south-south-west; the two largest nearly connect with each other, and form a kind of harbour, or place of shelter for a boat, on the north-west side. Here we made shift to land; but obtained nothing except a number of boobies. When we were on shore it seemed the most dreary spot I ever saw, the sea roaring and surging on all sides. Two smaller rocks were lying off to the south-south-west of the large ones, and one very small to the north east. When on the highest part, which was at least an hundred feet above the surface of the sea, I could not discover any dangers but what showed themselves above water; nor could any be discovered from the ship. We caught plenty of fish in the harbour, or basin, and at six, P. M. returned on board. Sharks were numerous about the ship, and our people, in attempting to take them, lost a number of hooks and lines, and broke several pair of grains. We sounded within two miles of the islands, but found no ground with a line of eighty fathoms. At eight, P. M. we made sail, and had pleasant weather during the night.

These rocks are called in the chart, St. Paul's Islands, and are very erroneously laid down. We observed their latitude to be 0° 55′ north, and longitude 30° 15' west. They may be seen at the distance of three or four leagues, and always make like three sail when first seen. They are very dangerous if fallen in with in the night. The current near the islands sets north-north-west one mile an hour. The islands, which are above the reach of the surf, are covered with birds' faces. They were hatching their young when we were there. The month of November would be the season to procure eggs at this place: they could be obtained at that time in abundance. They are not very sweet, all oceanick birds' eggs being fishy.

We continued our course till the 25th, when we saw the island of Fernando Noronha, and passed to the westward of it. This island lies in latitude 3° 56′ south, and longitude 32° 32′ west. From this we had a free wind round Cape St. Augustine. I think that any ship, which can keep to the eastward far enough to see this island, if she is under the necessity of passing to the westward of it, may always make a safe passage to the southward round this cape between the month of September and the month of March.

Fernando Noronha is very remarkable for a peak upon it, which is called the pyramid. It looks at a distance like an immensely

high steeple or tower; and I should suppose was several thousand feet high. We found a westerly current when in sight of this island, setting very strong; and as we experienced the same near St. Paul's Rocks, it must have continued ever since.

It is necessary here to mention, that the longitude laid down by me in this voyage, is from Greenwich, by a series of lunar observations, taken with good instruments, and may be considered in general correct.

We continued our course to the southward with fine breezes and pleasant weather, running along the Brazil coast. The winds were gradually hauling from the south east to the north east as we proceeded, and continued till we were in the latitude of 28° south; after which they became variable. We continued our passage until the 26th of January, 1800, when we anchored in North West Harbour, in one of the Falkland Islands, where we found the Diana of London, commanded by captain John Lock. She was an English whaler, that came last from Botany Bay round Cape Horn. Two sailors deserted from her, and came on board my ship, unknown to me. Their names were George Giles, an extraordinarily faithful and confidential man, and James Blake, a man of an opposite character. I mention these particulars, because it is probable that there will be something more said on this subject hereafter.

The extreme north west point of the Falkland Islands lies in latitude 51° south, and in longitude 62° 15′ west. As we had no observation near the westerly part of the islands, the above lon gitude cannot be depended upon within 10 or 15 miles. The land trends from the north west extreme nearly south east, by the compas; consisting of several large high islands, which are intersected by islets, rocks, and shoals, as you sail to the eastward. They are so thick together, that it is difficult for a ship to pass through them, and it is my opinion that it would not be safe to attempt it. The tides run so very strong, on the full and change of the moon, that the tide rips could not be distinguished from the shoals; and if there is not a very strong breeze of wind, a ship cannot be commanded when amongst them. We attempted to pass through, when the Grand Jason bore about south, finding a good opening, and seeing from aloft that it looked clear; but after we had got this island to bear south west, or more westerly, we discovered that the whole sound ahead was filled with shoals, lying in a direction north east, and

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south west, all along to the eastward of the Grand Jason. We had to wear ship and stand out to the westward, through a different passage from the one we entered, into the open sea again.

The next day we attempted going through a passage still further to the eastward, and passed to the northward and eastward of the shoals, which were seen by us the day before within two or three miles of them; then crossed to the westward of an island called Elephant Island, between it and a small island and reef that lies off its west end. Elephant Island is large and high, lying about east by north from the Grand Jason, and six or seven leagues distant. We crossed over to the west end of a large island called Grand Maloon, and found a fine harbour named West Point Harbour, which is the first as you pass to the eastward, (if you make the westerly part of the group first) among the islands. This harbour is easily known when near it. The land on the west end of this large island, appears like a harbour at some distance, and when near it, coming from the northward, it makes in nearly south, and then turns short round to the eastward, and runs up about two miles into a deep cove. In passing up, there is an opening out to the southward, which is likewise good coming in, or going out.

The Grand Jason lies nearly north west from West Point Harbour, about five or six leagues distant, and will serve as a guide, as it can be seen twelve or fifteen leagues in any direction. It appears like the top of a tureen that goes up to a sharp ridge, with the largest way standing north east and south west. It is very regular, and has an even surface. West Point Harbour is in latitude 51° 27′ south, and longitude 60° 36′ west, by the best observations we could obtain; but subject to a few miles errour. When we left the harbour we sailed out of the passage we came in at, and stood to the south west, between the Grand Maloon and Grand Jason; but nearest the former. We saw no dangers but what showed themselves at a sufficient distance to be avoided; and it is a general rule to be observed, when among these islands, that all shoals or ledges show their situation by the kelp that grows round them. There is a wide long sound to the northward of the Grand Maloon, running to the eastward, called Byron's Sound; and Elephant Island lies in the middle of its westerly entrance; but the clearest passage is to the north. A long chain of islands is to the northward of Elephant Island, which makes the north side of the sound.

I know but little of the land further to the eastward, but have been informed, that it runs much further in that direction than we saw; and that the main body of the land lies to the eastward of our anchoring place, and also that there are many good harbours further to the eastward. Forty or fifty miles south of the Grand Maloon lie what are called the New-Islands, but we only saw them at a distance. They extend much further south, and as I have understood from others, afford many good harbours.

West Point Harbour affords plenty of fresh water. The most convenient place for obtaining it is near the head of the cove on the south side. There is no wood to be got here, except it be some drift wood. There are great numbers of geese at this place, but they are very fishy. Wild hogs may be hunted on the island that forms the west side of the harbour.

The Spaniards have a settlement on the easterly end of the Grand Maloon. They are chiefly convicts from the west coast of S. America, River of Plate, &c. They cultivate the common necessaries of life; but these islands are a very barren group, affording no tree, bush, or shrub, that grows spontaneously. We saw no quadrupeds except one fox, which we shot, and some wild hogs on the small island to the westward of the Grand Maloon; but I have since been informed, that on some of the islands foxes are numerous. There are a few seals, both of the fur and hair kinds; but they have been principally destroyed, and the few that remain, are so shy that it is very difficult to get near enough to kill them. Very large sea elephants are likewise found here. Six or eight barrels of oil are sometimes made from one of them. They resemble the seal, but have no hind flippers like them, and their tail is more like that of a particular kind of fish. The seal and the elephant are similar to a dog in the fore part of the body, only the fore flippers, or paddles are much further from the head, than the fore legs of a dog; and from the middle, the body tapers away in the form of a fish. The elephant, like the seal, is covered with hair.

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Several kinds of salt water birds are found here. Some of them are good to eat. One that is called the upland goose is a very sweet tender bird, and nearly as large as our tame geese. is of a reddish grey, and is always found on the upland, near fresh brooks or ponds. The ducks are similar to the wild ducks of this country, and are good eating. Teal is likewise found here.

All the others are not palatable; being so strong and fishy, that most people would refuse them when they could get salt provisions. What are called low land geese, are the most eaten of any of the fishy kinds, and look like our tame geese. The males are of a variegated colour, white and dark gray, chiefly white; the females are mostly grey, and resemble the brant of this country, when seen flying. They are not quite so large as our geese, and live about the shores, feeding on shell fish and kelp, which gives the flesh a very unpleasant flavour. They are so tame that I have often shot four or five times into a flock before they would rise.

There are three kinds of penguins found here, the king, the macaroni, and jackass. The king penguin is as large as a goose, walks erect, its legs projecting directly out behind; it stands upright, and at a distance resembles a man. The breast is white, head and back nearly black, mandibles tapering and sharp at the points, long strips of red feathers, resembling eyebrows, over each eye, running down two inches on the neck, giving the bird a very handsome appearance. The macaroni penguin is not more than two thirds as large as the former. It is like them except the colour, which differs a little, being more white about its throat; and instead of the red feathers over the eyes, it has a number of long fibres or feathers, resembling the long hairs round the mouth of a cat, giving it a macaroni look, from which it takes its name. These two kinds lay their eggs on the ground in rookeries, as will be described hereafter. The jackass penguin, is so called from the noise it makes, and from its not being so handsome as either of the other kinds. Its note very nearly resembles that animal's bray. It does not differ much in size or colour from the last described, but is smaller if any thing. It goes on upland to make its nest and lay its eggs. It digs holes under tussucks and in any ground clear of stones, commonly choosing the side of a hill, where there are not any tussucks for them to dig under. They go on shore at night, male and female, and after dark set up the most disagreeable noise or braying, that can be imagined. Neither kind has any wings; their little fins or flippers only serve to help them swim.

The next remarkable bird here is the albatross. It is the largest bird that I know of which gets its living out of the sea. There are two or three kinds of them; the largest is of a greyish