ULLOA*S v6YAGE TO SOUTH AMERICA. 39 1 



Perico to Puna, or more properly, to Cape Blanco ; for, after the brifas have begun 

 to blow at Panama, they gradually increafe and fpread in oppofition to the fouth winds, 

 till, overcoming them, they are fettled : but their periods are not always equal, either 

 on the land or in the ocean. Generally the brifas do not reach beyond the equator, or 

 are fo faint, as often to be interrupted by calms, or other weak and unfettled winds. 

 Sometimes, indeed, they have an extraordinary ftrength, being felt even to the ifland 

 of Plata : but their greateft force is gradually increafed as we approach nearer to Pana- 

 ma. Thefe winds, which blow from between the north and north-eaft, clear the atmo- 

 fphere, free the coaft from fogs, and are not attended with tempefts of rain ; but fre- 

 quently fo fqually, efpecially between Cape Francifco and the Bay of Panama, that, 

 without particular care and the utmoft difpatch in putting the Ihip in a proper condition, 

 they are often dangerous. 



At the period of the brifas, the fures or fouth winds begin to blow, and, when fettled, ^^ 

 are more violent than the former. But they do not, as many have imagined, blow al- 

 ways precifely from the folith ; for they fhift from the fouth-eall even to the fouth-weft, 

 and their diflance from the fouth is obferved to be greateft at particular times. When 

 they incline to the fouth-eaft, which is the land fide, they are accompanied with violent, 

 but happily fhort tempefts of wind and rain. The fhips which trade from the coafts of 

 Peru and Guayaquil to Panama, generally fail during the fures, in order to take the 

 benefit of the north wind at their return, and, by that means their voyages are eafily 

 and expeditioully performed. Sometimes, indeed, they fail with other winds, though 

 they are generally longer at fea, in order to reach Paita ; but often this diligence, or 

 rather avarice, is fo far difappointed, that they are obliged to put in at Tumaco, Aca- 

 mes, Manta, or Punta de Santa Elena, for provifions and water. 



Thefe are the principal winds in this pafTage ; and whatever changes may fometimes 

 happen, they are not of any continuance, the fettled wind foon recovering its place. 



The currents in thefe parts are not fo regular as the winds ; for, during the brifas, the 

 waters run from Morro de Puercos fouth-weft and weft, to the height of Malpelo ; and 

 from thence eaft and eaft-fouth-eaft to Cape St. Francis, inclining fomething towards 

 Gorgona. From Cape St. Francis, their diredtion is fouth and fouth-weft, which con- 

 tinues for thirty or forty leagues feawards, the ftrength of them being proportionate to 

 that of the brifas. 



During the feafon of the fures, or fouth winds, the currents run north and north-weft 

 from Punta de Santa Elena, as far as Cape St. Francis, extending thirty or forty leagues 

 feawards j from hence they run with a great velocity eaft, as far as the meridian of 

 Malpelo ; and from Morro de Puercos fouth-eaft along the coaft, though at fome dif- 

 tance from it, and tending partly to the bay, of Gorgona. But from the meridian of 

 Malpelo to Morro de Puercos, they run with great violence north-weft nnd weft. Alfo 

 in the paiTage from Cape Blanco to Cape Santa Elena, a violent current runs weft from 

 the river of Guayaquil, during its fwellings ; but when the river is low, the current fets 

 into Puna bay : the time of the former is during the brifas, and the latter in the feafon 

 of the fures. . 



At all times, in leaving Perico to. fail to Guayaquil, or the coaft of Peru, care muft 

 be taken to keep at a proper diftance from the ifland of Gorgona, many inftances 

 having happened of fhips being loft either by this negligence, or more frequently, by 

 calms. It is alfo equally necelTary to be careful of the ifland of Malpelo ; but the 

 latter is of the two the leaft dangerous, as the greateft detriment is only a longer 

 delay of the voyage. 



