Ch. i. south AMERICA. 87 



or fhoals, their courie becomes irregular : ibmetimes 

 they flow through long channels ; and ibmetimes they 

 are met by others ; all which proceeds from their fe- 

 veral directions, and the bearings of the coafts ; fo 

 that the greateft attention is neceíTary here, the general 

 accounts not being fufficient to^ be relied on ; for, 

 though they have been given by pilots who have for 

 twenty or thirty years ufedthis navigation, in all kinds 

 of veflels, and therefore have acquired a thorough 

 knowledge, they themfelves confels that there arc 

 places where the currents obferve no kind of regula- 

 rity, like thofe we have mentioned. 



When the brifas draw near their period, which is 

 about the beginning of April, the currents change 

 their courfe, running to the eaihvard for eight, ten, or 

 twelve leagues from the coait, and thus continue 

 during the whole feafon of the vendábales ; on vv'hich 

 account, and the winds being at this feafon contrary 

 for going from Carthagena to Porto Bello, it is necef- 

 fary to tail to j2 or 13 degrees of latitude, or even 

 fometimes farther; when, being without the verge of 

 thofe winds, the voyage is eaflly performed. 



While the brifas blow flrongeit, a very impetuous 

 current fets into the gulf of Darien ; and out of it 

 during the fealbn of the vendábales. This fecond 

 change proceeds from the many rivers which difchargc 

 themlelves into it, and at that time being greatly 

 fwelled by the heavy rains, peculiar to the feafon ; lb 

 that they come down with fuch rapidity, as violently 

 to propel the water out of the gulf. But in the fea- 

 fon of the brifas thefe rivers are low, and fo weak, 

 that the current of the fea overcomes their reiiftance, 

 fills the gulf, and returns along the windings of the 

 coail. 



G 4 CHAP. 



