272 SITUATION OF THE PESCADORES. 



mile from the reefs, and perceived that their 

 greatest length is from east to west, in which 

 direction they take in a space of ten miles. 

 The aspect of these green islands is pleasing to 

 the eye, and, according to appearance, they 

 would amply supply the necessities of a popu- 

 lation not superabundant ; but though we sailed 

 very near them, and used our telescopes, we 

 could discover no trace of human habitation. 



According to accurate astronomical obser- 

 vations, the middle of this group lies under 

 11° 19' 21" latitude, and 192° 25' 3" longitude. 

 In comparing the situation of the Pescadores, 

 as given by Captain Wallis, their discoverer, 

 with this observation, it is scarcely possible to 

 believe in the identity of the groups. I have, 

 however, left them the name of Pescadores, be- 

 cause the two observations nearly correspond. 

 After having sailed round the whole group, 

 we came, at four o*'clock in the afternoon, so 

 close to their north-western point, that every 

 movement on land might have been distinctly 

 seen with the naked eye ; yet even here there 

 was nothing to indicate the presence of man, 

 though Wallis communicated with the inhabi- 



