Cu. IV. SOUTH AMERICA. £21 



growth. On the other liaud, every part is covered 

 with tall grass or straw, already mentioned. Among 

 the \ arioiis sorts of trees with which the island is de- 

 corated, there are none of the American fruit-trees; 

 owingto thecoldnessof theclimate, which isincreased 

 by trie violence of the winds, so that even the heats 

 of summer are moderate. 



In this island are three harhours or bays ; but those 

 on the ^\^ and E. sides have only water sufHcient for 

 small vessels ; so that the only one proper for large 

 ships is that on the N. or rather N. E. side of the 

 island. The latter, which is properly called Juan Fer- 

 nandes, consists of a bay formed by the coast, but 

 exposed to the N. and N, E. winds ; so that in winter 

 no ship can lie safely in it; and even in summer, it 

 is not free from danger, on account of the great 

 depth of water ; for within the distance of a cable's 

 length or two from the shore, it has ññy fathom; 

 and growing deeper as the distance increases. To tliis 

 must also be added the badness of the ground, which 

 being of sand, and a tenacious mud, mixed with 

 shells and gravel, the cables are greatly rubbed by it, 

 and consequently tlie anchorage rendered unsafe. The 

 ships are also exposed to continual squalls caused bv 

 the Sures, which produce a very troublesome sea"; 

 violent cuarents likewise set into the bay and form 

 dangerous eddies. Lastly, the steepness of the coast 

 renders it. very difficult to be approached on ac- 

 count of the dashing of the Maves against it; and 

 accordingly the only ships that put into this port ars 

 such as belong to pirates, or the enemy ; this island 

 being the sole refuge for them in the South seas. And 

 they expose themselves to these dangers, merely 

 through the necessity of taking in M^atcr and wood, 

 refreshing their crews, and furnishing themselves with 

 fish, which is caught here in great abundance. 



These foreign ships, which in order to refresh 

 their crews after the fatigues of so long a voyage, 



and 



