Ixxii EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 



cifcly ÎS at the ftrait formed by Guinea and Brafil, where, 

 as has been faid, are formed thofe two great lateral coun- 

 ter-currents which return toward the Poles. There is the 

 rendezvous of the fifties from the North Pole, and from the 

 South. Herrings, whales, and mackareî, are, in Summer, 

 found in great abundance on thofe fliores. The whales of 

 the North have formerly been fo common at Brafil, that, 

 according to the report of Navigators, the fifliery on it's 

 coafts was farmed out, and produced a confiderable revenue 

 to the King of Portugal. I know not how it may be at 

 prefent : perhaps the noife of European artillery may have 

 chaced them away from thofe coafts. A very productive 

 cod-fifliery was likewife carried on there, known all over 

 America by the name of the Brafil cod. 



On the other hand, according to the teftimony of Bofman, 

 a Dutch Navigator, who has publifhed a very good account 

 of Guinea, the w^hales of that fpccies which is called North- 

 taper are found in great abundance on the coafts of Guinea. 

 He alleges that they refort thither to bring forth their 

 young : Artus has favoured us with a catalogue of the fifties 

 of paftage which appear on that coaft during the different 

 months of the year. Though it is very imperfeâ, we are 

 enabled by it to diftinguifti the fifties which arc peculiar to 

 each Pole. In the months of April and May, it is a fpecies 

 of ray which rifes to the furface of the water : in June and 

 July, a fort of herring, in fuch quantities that the Negroes, 

 on throwing among them a fimple leaden weight, at the ex- 

 tremity of çi long line, furniftied with hooks, always draw 

 up a confiderable number at every throw. During the fame 

 months they catch a great many lobfters, fimilar, fays Artus, 

 to thofe of Norway, 



In 



