1779* THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 36l 



quarters west, to south half east, and was, for the 

 most part, bold and cliffy. The low cape to the 

 northward bore north-west by west, six leagues 

 distant ; and the north point of the inlet south, three- 

 quarters west. The latitude, by observation, was 

 40° 5', and longitude 142° 28'. The northernmost 

 land in sight we judged to be the northern extremity 

 of Japan.* It is lower than any other part; and, 

 from the range of the high lands that were seen over 

 it from the mast-head, the coast appeared evidently 

 to incline round to the westward. The north point 

 of the inlet we supposed to be Cape Nambu, and the 

 town to be situated in a break of the high land, 

 toward which the inlet seemed to direct itself, t 

 The country is of a moderate height, consists of a 

 double range of mountains ; it abounds with wood, 

 and has a pleasing variety of hills and dales. We 

 saw the smoke of several towns or villages, and 

 many houses near the shore, in pleasant and culti- 

 vated situations. 



During the calm, being willing to make the 

 best use of our time, we put our fishing lines over- 

 board in ten fathoms* water, but without any success. 

 As this was the only amusement our circumstances 

 admitted, the disappointment was always very sen- 

 sibly felt, and made us look back with regret to the 

 cod-banks of the dreary regions we had left, which 

 had supplied us with so many wholesome meals, and, 

 by the diversion they afforded, had given a variety 

 to the wearisome succession of gales and calms, and 



* The only authentic survey of the eastern coast of Japan with 

 which I am acquainted, is that published by Jansen in his Atlas, 

 and compiled with great accuracy from the charts and journals of 

 the Castricom and Breskes. I have therefore adopted, wherever 

 the identity of the situations could be nearly ascertained, the 

 names given in that map to the corresponding points and head 

 lands seen by us along the coast. 



Jansen places the northern extremity of Japan in latitude 40° 1B\ 

 The point seen by us was in latitude 40° 27'. 



t This town is called by Jansen, Nabo. 



