INDIAN OCEAN. 227 



in common use. The general correctness of his observationsj I 

 think, may be relied on, as he is a man of considerable science, of 

 great experience, had on board two good chronometers, and was, 

 besides, well versed in the use of lunar observations. In lat. 15 

 30' N. and long. 123 20' W. are laid down the dangerous rocks 

 called " Villa Robos." Captain Hart sailed over the- very spot, 

 and saw nothing of them. They no doubt exist somewhere in the 

 neighbourhood, and should be looked after, and their position ac- 

 curately defined. On all the published charts the island " Caspar 

 Rico" is laid down in 15 N. lat. and 172 E. long. Smith's 

 island, and also St. ^Bartholomew's, have the same latitude, and 

 170 and 164 E. long. Captain Hart ran for these islands, 

 tacked several times, had a number of good observations, and de- 

 cided to his entire satisfaction that they are not to be found within 

 fifty miles of their positions given on the charts. The island 

 " Pagon" is laid down 25 miles too far to the north. The third 

 Volcano island could not be found in the latitude and longitude 

 given by some navigators. Captain H. ran for the island " Tres 

 Colunas," and came to in lat. 27 N. and 160 E. long., the very 

 position given this island, and, with a clear atmosphere, he could 

 not discover land in any direction from the mast-head, and with 

 the best of glasses. Of course, this isknd does not exist, or is in- 

 accurately laid down on the charts. "Gold island" is not laid 

 down correctly, as land was not in sight in 29 3(X N. and 151 

 3(X E., the position given on all the large charts. 



The information I have thus far communicated has been de- 

 rived chiefly from our citizens engaged or interested in the whale- 

 fishery. I regret that I am not at liberty to communicate in wri- 

 ting all the interesting facts which I have been enabled to collect 

 from those engaged in the seal trade, or, as they call it, the " skin- 

 ning business." The occupation of these men leads them into 

 seas and parts of the globe far beyond the common pathway of 



