IN THE PACIFIC. 87 



sailing before the S.E. trade wind, we sighted 

 the Galapagos Islands. 



These islands are directly upon the equator, 

 and are due west of Ecuador, to which country 

 they belong; the current runs very swiftly past 

 them to the N.W., so it is necessary to be very 

 sure of one's position when steering for them. 

 The first land we made out was Charles Island, 

 the southernmost of the group, on the north 

 side of which there is a good harbour called 

 Post Office Bay, where we anchored. 



The same afternoon I landed with the doctor 

 to explore the island ; we found the place one 

 mass of cinders and lava, which made it extremely 

 difficult walking. After scrambling about for 

 some time, getting our clothes torn by the 

 dense and thorny jungle, we came across a path 

 which evidently led up to the mountains ; but 

 as it was too late to prosecute the search, we 

 returned on board, prepared to follow it up in 

 the morning. During our absence a quantity 

 of excellent fish had been caught, some of which 

 we enjoyed for supper. At sunset we fired a 



