182 cook's second VOYAGE JAN 



CHAP. IV. 



OBSERVATIONS, GEOGRAPHICAL AND NAUTICAL, WITH AN 

 ACCOUNT OF THE ISLANDS NEAR STATEN LAND, AND THE 

 ANIMALS FOUND IN THEM. 



1 he annexed chart will very accurately shew the 

 direction, extent, and position of the coast, along 

 which I have sailed, either in this or my former voy- 

 age ; and no more is to be expected from it. The 

 latitudes have been determined by the sun's meridian 

 altitude, which we were so fortunate as to obtain 

 every day, except the one we sailed from Christmas 

 Sound ; which was of no consequence, as its latitude 

 was known before. The longitudes have been settled 

 by lunar observations, as is already mentioned. I 

 have taken 67 ° 46' for the longitude of Cape Horn. 

 From this meridian, the longitudes of all the other 

 parts are deduced by the watch; by which the ex- 

 tent of the whole must be determined to a few miles ; 

 and whatever errors there may be in longitude, must 

 be general. But I think it highly probable, that the 

 longitude is determined to within a quarter of a de- 

 gree. Thus the extent of Terra del Fuego from east 

 to west, and consequently that of the Straits of Ma- 

 galhaens, will be found less than most navigators 

 have made it. 



In order to illustrate this, and to show the situa- 

 tions of the neighbouring lands, and, by this means, 

 make the annexed chart of more general use, I have 

 extended it down to 47° of latitude. But I am only- 

 answerable for the inaccuracy of such parts as I have 

 explored myself. In laying down the rest, I had re- 

 course to the following authorities. 



The longitude of Cape Virgin Mary, which is the 

 most essential point, as it determines the length of 

 the Straits of Magalhaens, is deduced from Lord 

 Anson, who made l 2° 3' difference of longitude be- 



