2.50 FROM THE ST. LAWRENCE ISLANDS 



unloaded, floated into the river, but not filled 

 till the ebb has carried the salt water out of the 

 river; in the returning tide the boats must be 

 loaded, that you may go back when the water is 

 at the highest. The coast, near which the water 

 is taken in, has a singular appearance ; the bushes 

 dip their points into tlie sea, from which new roots 

 shoot up, which entwine themselves in the higher 

 bushes; and this produces a thick green wall, 

 that covers the whole shore. The tree as easily 

 takes root in water as in the ground, and it looks 

 as if the vegetation sprung from the sea. 



The 26th. While I was on shore, Captain 

 Taitano, commandant of the fortress of Orota*, had 

 visited the ship, and invited Lieutenant Schisch- 

 mareff to come to his house. It was situated 

 behind the Cape of Orota, in the village of Agat ; 

 and went to visit him, accompanied by Wilson, and 

 likewise to take a view of the town. The whole 

 crew wished to go on shore to-day, and received 

 permission, on this occasion, to gather as many 

 oranges in the groves as they could carry. We 



* The fortress of Orota lies on an eminence of Cape Orota, 

 and defends the entrance of the outer harbour ; its situation is so 

 very advantageous, that it can neither be cannonaded, nor fire a 

 shot in vain. A mile to the east of this, a second (St. Louis) 

 lies on the shore, which defended the entrance of the inner har- 

 bour, but is now decayed through neghgence. The fortress of 

 St. Cruz, on which I made all my astronomical observations, is 

 very small, built of coral stones, and contains only three six- 

 pounders, and is not even guarded. 



