1827. 



PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 129 



the sea between them and the Bashee Islands was so 

 smooth that its heave was scarcely perceptible. We 

 found by our observations that the magnetic meridian Ap.ii, 

 intersects the channel between these two groups of 

 islands in the meridian of 226'^ 48' W. in the latitude 

 of 20^ 12' N. 



The Bashee Islands, so called by the Buccaneers, in 

 consequence of a drink of that name, which was ex- 

 tracted by the natives from the sugar-cane, form a 

 long group very similar to the Ladrones, and extend 

 in the same direction nearly from north to south. 

 Until these islands were surveyed by Captain Hors- 

 burgh their positions were as incorrectly determined 

 as those of the Ladrones are at present. A contrary 

 wind, which rendered it necessary to beat through the 

 channel between them and Botel Tobaso Xima. 

 afforded an opportunity of connecting these islands 

 trigonometric-ally, and of obtaining transit bearings 

 when in intermediate stations between them. The 

 longitude also was afterwards measured backwards 

 and forwards between them and Macao, and we thus 

 had an opportunity of examining the chart of Captain 

 Horsburgh, which appeared to be constructed with 

 great truth and with his usual accuracy. 



I regret not having seen the Cumbrian reef; we 

 stood purposely towards it until sun-set, and were 

 within six miles of its situation when we were obliged 

 to go about by the approach of night. 



The next day we stood toward the island of For- 

 mosa and tacked within four niiles of the Vele rete 

 rocks, the largest of which has the appearance of a 

 vessel under sail. They lie off the south end of the 

 island of Formosa,* and are surrounded bv breakers, 



* The large rock bears S. 29o 09' 15' E. from the west end of 

 Lauiay Island. 



VOL. II. K 



