CXXXII ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



"breaking with fury over islets 30 feet high.' and, "the roar of the 

 surf, on a calm night, can be compared to nothing less than the Falls of 

 Niagara." Now, Cabot was an experienced seaman, and he knew there 

 could be no such wild fight of the waters were the straits only a bay. 

 He said the waters met as in a tournament — that is, rushing at each other 

 from opposite directions. His picturesque description not only makes 

 us certain of the localitj-, but also proves he knew of the great Gulf, 

 whence came forth one of the combatants to enter the lists. 



Almost equally suggestive is the name Regilia, a barred way, or a 

 row of prisons. Its latitude is that of Togo Harbour. " In front of 

 Fogo Harbour," says "The Pilot" [222] are "several islands from 50 

 to 100 feet high, forming narrow entrances difficult of access at all times 

 to a sailing vessel." These would certainly bear a weird resemblance to 

 a row of prisons, or to a barred way. Again, otf the north coast of 

 Fogo there is a " belt of islands and rocks, which, with an average Avidth 

 of 2 miles, run east and west for about 13 miles." [223.] 



Cavo de S. Luzia is Freel's Head. The name, Ansoii, or Ansori, signi- 

 fying a place of geese, is not a distinctive mai-k on these northern 

 coasts. It may be mentioned, however, that we find Goose Bay, Duck 

 Island, and Gull Island very nearly in its latitude. The flag to the 

 south of Ansoii is on Cape Bonavista. 



Lagofor, or Lagofori, Eoyal Courtyard Lake coincides with St. 

 John's, and is a remarkably good description of its beautiful harbour, 

 nestling as peacefully as a lake in the bosom of the majestic hills, which 

 rise up like castle walls around about. All who have seen that harbour 

 will recognize the appositeness of the name. 



Cavo de Jorge, Cape St. George, is Cape Eace, and fitting!}- named 

 after England's patron saint, since it was to keep watch and ward over 

 the Cavo Descubierto, or the discovered land. 



Here we rest our case, in the firm conviction that a conscientious 

 study of the proofs adduced will ensure a favourable verdict in our behalf, 

 and add new glory to the name of John Cabot. Four hundred years 

 ago he planted the English flag on Cape Breton Island, named Prince 

 Edward Island, St. John, sailed round the Gulf and out the Straits of 

 Belle Isle. The following year he went north, sailed through Hudson's 

 Straits and round the bay of that name during the month of August. 

 Coming back he was in Un gava Bay on the 3rd September, the feast of 

 the ordination of St. Gregory, when he named the island St. Grigor. 

 Coming south he named Cavo de S. Joham on Tth September in honour of 

 St. John of Nicomedia, and on the 10th of the month S. Nicholas for 

 St. Nicholas of Tolentino. "VVe are told by Gomara' that he made a stop 

 at the Baccalhaos, probably to refit his vessels. It was customary in 

 those days to caulk and otherwise repair the ships on some suitable 



2 Loc Cit. 



