OF LA PEROUSE. .17 



opening, which feemed to promife us a pafTage 

 by which we might go and anchor near the coaft ; 

 unfortunately it was late in the day, and the fea 

 being too rough, did not permit us to fend a 

 boat to found this entrance. We much regretted 

 not being able to enjoy the fmooth water that 

 reigned behind this rampart, againft which the 

 fea was fpending its fury in vain. 



Some hills almoft entirely deftitute of vege- 

 tables, rofe in the form of an amphitheatre, as 

 far as the principal chain, which appears to be at 

 leafl eighteen hundred meters in perpendicular 

 height, and the direction of which is conftantly 

 to the north-weft. We there difcovered three 

 rows of mountains of different degrees of eleva- 

 tion; and we remarked, throughout all the height 

 of the mofl arid hills, gullies which feemed to 

 be formed by the fall of the rains. 



Behind thefe high mountains was feen one 

 from four to five myriameters inland, which 

 riling considerably above the others, appeared to 

 be at leaft two thoufand four hundred meters ia 

 perpendicular elevation. 



From the middle of the gullies iffued a torrent, 

 which we diftinguifhed /perfeclly from the white- 

 nefs of its foaming waters, although we were at a 

 great diftance. 



The cold that is felt on thefe heights, no 

 doubt fubjecls the inhabitants to the neceffity of 



warming 



