PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. I37 



closer than was consistent with security in a dark nio;ht. 

 These currents render precaution very necessary ; that 

 by which we were affected ran N. 56° W. twenty-six 

 miles during the night, or about two miles and a half 

 per hour. We continued to feel this effect until we 

 were a full day's sail from Botel Tobago Xima, and we 

 were obliged in consequence to beat through the 

 channel between that island and Formosa. In doinir 

 this w^e had an opportunity of examining the shores 

 of Botel Tobago Xima, and of constructing a tolerably 

 good plan of its northern and western sides, besides 

 determining its position more accurately than had been 

 done when we passed it on the former occasion. 



The aspect of this part of the island is both agree- 

 able and picturesque. The mountains are covered with 

 wood and verdure to their summit, and are Ijroken by 

 valleys which open out upon plains sloping rather 

 abruptly from the bases of the hills to the sea coast. 



Almost every part of this plain is cultivated in the 

 Chinese manner, being walled up in steep places, like 

 the sides of Dane's Island in the Tigris. Groves and 

 tufts of palm trees break the stiffness which this mode 

 of cultivation would otherw^ise wear, and by their 

 graceful foliage greatly improve its appearance. In a 

 sandy bay on the north side of the island there is a 

 large village consisting of low houses with pointed 

 roofs. 



There are several rocky points on the north-west 

 side, and some detached rocks lie off the northern ex- 

 tremity, which are remarkable for their spire-like form. 

 The coast is rocky in almost every part, and probably 

 dangerous to land upon, as these needle rocks are seen 

 in many parts of the island. With the exception, 

 however, of those off the north extreme, thev are 



