384 Geographical Notices. 
ber. This bay, 64 miles in breadth, is bounded on the east by 
immense sandy plains, and on the west by a peninsula of sand; 
it affords most convenient shelter to ships of every size, and 
abounds in fish; great profits would be realized fisheries 
here established. 
he surrounding region presents no trace of vegetation, save 
a small plant of the genus Cactus, but fresh water can be ob- 
tained in the immediate vicinity, and upon the coast towards the 
south, an area of about 30 miles in extent is thickly strewn with 
trunks of trees, which have been carried, during the great fresh- 
ets, from the banks of the Cunene to the ocean, and have 
thrown by the waves upon the coast to the north of its mouth. 
As we approached the head of the bay, it seemed as th 
a forest and a large sea lay before us, which gave to the country 
a charming appearance. This vanished in a few moments, for 
_the mirage had converted the smallest bushes into forest trees, 
and what appeared to be a sea if which were mirrored the large 
trees and other lofty objects, proved to be only a sandy plain! 
We spent November 8th, 9th and 10th in. the bay. Our objett 
originally was to proceed to the mouth of the river by ore 
since the exact situation of that point was but little known, # 
it had been reported that we should find the entrance 
as well as be unable to come to a secure anchorage, we deter 
= to prosecute the remainder of the journey on land along 
the coast. 
dicated 2 
proximity of the river. A small supply of water a the im 
evening, at half past 9 o'clock, they returned from and fresh ' 
expedition, bringing two vessels full oF oils dist! 
ft 
‘ 
