Ch. i. south AMERICA. 145 



fary. And on the 24th, at feven in the morning, we 

 falely anchored in Puna harbour; Cape Centinela 

 bearing S. S. W, 2° 30' wefterly, and Cape Maria 

 Mandinga W. N. W. 1° 15' weilerly, diilant one 

 quarter of a league. 



From Punta de Mala to St. Matthew's bay, we 

 had the wind firil at N. and N. W,; afterwards it 

 fhifted to the N. E and during the lail day veered 

 to the E N. E. ; but when we came in fight of this 

 bay, changed again to N. being preceded by rains, 

 which continued till our arrival at Manta, the winds 

 having fhifted to the S. E. fouth, and S. W. and weft, 

 but with fome variations from all thole points. 



I HAVE already mentioned that at St. Matthew's 

 bay, it was not only the opinion of ihe pilots relating 

 to the currents which fet towards Gorgona, but alfo 

 our own experience, that induced us to alter our 

 courfe, which was neceffary, in order to continue our 

 voyage. All the reft of the coaft, from Cape St. 

 Francis to Manta, they fet to the N, and this pre- 

 vented us from getting to windward, and obliged us 

 to tack, as the wind was contrary. 



In our paiTage from Manta to Cape Blanco, the 

 winds were not lefs favourable, continuing as before, 

 except a few gales at N. W. and N. N. E. till we 

 made ti)c above cape. The currents here alfo fet to 

 the northward; and from Cape Blanco to Puna har- 

 bour, to leaward, that is, towards the weft ; but, as 

 we have before obferved, a greater velocity on the 

 ebb than on the flood. 



Being very defirous of obfcrving an eclipfe of 

 the moon, which was to happen on the 26th of 

 March, and our time for preparing for it being but 

 fhort, we concluded to fiay at a little village fituated 

 in this harbour; but finding thefe houfes, which were 

 entirely built of canes, too weak to fupport the pen- 

 dulum, we determined to make the beit of our wa^ 

 to Guayaquil ; and accordingly, at half an hour aftci 



Vol. Í. L eleven 



