ISLANDS OF MAYO AND ST. JAGG. 15 



decked in golden armour, meet the eye. But 

 the approach to the Cape Verd islands does not 

 possess these beauties in any profusion — barren 

 volcanic mountains, contrasted occasionally only 

 by a few others of a verdant character are seen 

 instead ; even these become an agreeable pros- 

 pect, being a change from the monotony of a 

 ship, but a departure from them, after a few 

 days' sojourn, is attended with but little if any 

 regret. 



On the 26th, at daylight, we sailed with a 

 pleasant breeze between the island of Mayo and 

 that of St. Jago ; the former distant about ten, 

 the latter about eighteen miles; the western side 

 of Mayo had a very sterile appearance ; tliere 

 was not a tree or speck of verdure to be seen. 

 The lofty mountain of St. Antonio, on the island 

 of St. Jago, was visible ; its declivities verdant, 

 but the peaked summit was for the most part 

 hidden by clouds. As we coasted along the 

 latter island, the feature of the coast was very 

 barren, although it was occasionally relieved 

 by a small verdant valley, diversified by some 

 miserable huts and a few stunted cocoa-nut trees. 

 In the afternoon we anchored at Porto Praya,* 

 about a quarter of a mile distant from the shore. 



* " Praya" signifies, in the Portuguese language, " a 

 beach or shore.'' 



