16 COOK S FIRST VOYAGE SEPT. 



woods of chesnut and pine of immense extent, and 

 above them forests of wild timber of various kinds 

 not known in Europe ; particularly two, called by 

 the Portuguese jMirmulcmo and Paobranco, the leaves 

 of both which, particularly the Paohrmico, are so 

 beautiful, that these trees would be a great ornament 

 to the gardens of Europe. 



The number of inhabitants in this island is sup- 

 posed to be about 80,0()0, and the custom-house 

 duties produce a revenue to the King of Portugal of 

 20,000 pounds a-year, clear of all expenses, which 

 might easily be doubled by the product of the island, 

 exclusive of the vines, if advantage was taken of 

 the excellence of the climate, and the amazing fer- 

 tility of the soil ; but this object is utterly neglected 

 bv the Portusruese. In the trade of the inhal3itants 

 of Madeira with Lisbon the balance is against them, 

 so that all the Portuguese money naturally going 

 thither, the currency of the island is Spanish ; there 

 are, indeed, a few Portuguese pieces of copper, but 

 they are so scarce that we did not see one of them : the 

 Spanish coin is of three denominations ; Pistereens, 

 worth about a shilling ; Bitts, worth about sixpence j 

 and Half-bitts, three-pence. 



The tides at this place flow at the full and change 

 of the moon, north and south ; the spring tides rise 

 seven feet perpendicular, and the neap tides four. 

 By Dr. Heberden's observation, the variation of the 

 compass here is now 15° 30' West, and decreasing; 

 but I have some doubt whether he is not mistaken 

 with respect to its decrease : we found that the North 

 point of the dipping needle belonging to the Royal 

 Society dipped 77° 18''. 



The refreshments to be had here are water, wine^ 

 fruit of several sorts, onions in plenty, and some 

 sweetmeats ; fresh meat and poultry are not to be had 

 without leave from the governor, and the payment 

 of a very high price. 



