APPENDIX. 



255 



hills are near the coast, and from four hundred to five hundred 

 feet high. 



The point or head of Salinas is five miles in length, in a north and 

 south direction ; off its southern extreme is a reef of rocks, a quarter 

 of a mile from the shore ; and at its northern part, called Las Bajas, 

 is an islet at a cable's distance ; between these points are two coves 

 fit only for boats ; there is a remarkable round hill, called Salinas, 

 at a short distance from the coast, and further in shore, is a level, 

 sandy plain ; at the south side of this plain is a number of salinas, 

 or salt-ponds, from which the headland takes its name. These ponds 

 are visited occasionally by people from Huacho. 



Off the south part of Salinas, in a south-west direction, lie the Huara 

 Islands, the largest of which is called Mazorque. It is two hun- 

 dred feet in height, three-quarters of a mile long, and quite white ; 

 sealers occasionally frequent this island ; there is landing on its north 

 side. 



The next in size is called Pelado ; it lies S. 49° W. six miles and 

 a half from Mazorque, is about one hundred and fifty feet high, and 

 apparently quite round ; between these two islands a safe passage 

 exists, and may be used without fear in working up to Callao. Be- 

 tween Mazorque and Salinas are several smaller islands, all of which, 

 from their ajDpearance, may be approached without danger ; but as 

 no advantage could be gained, it would not be prudent to risk going 

 between them. Vessels, in working up, sometimes go betw^een the 

 inner one and the point ; but what they gain by so doing does 

 not appear, for when the current sets to the southward, it runs 

 equally as strong between Mazorque and Pelado as it does nearer the 

 shore. 



Round the northern point of Salinas Head is the bay of that name, 

 of large dimensions, and affording anchorage. From this bay the 

 coast is moderately high and clilFy, without any break, until you 

 reach the Bay of Huacho. This bay lies round a bluff head, is small ; 

 but the anchorage is good in five fathoms, just within the two rocks 

 that run off the northern part of the head. The town is built about 

 a mile from the coast, in the midst of a fertile plain, and in coming 

 from seaward has a pleasant appearance ; it is not a place of much 

 trade, but whale-ships find it useful for watering and refreshing their 

 crews. Fresh provisions, vegetables, and fruit, are abundant and on 

 reasonable terms ; wood is also plentiful, and a stream of fresh water 



