184 



COAST OF MEXICO. 



These winds blow off to sea, a greater or 

 less distance, according as the coast lies more or 

 less exposed to the sea-winds ; for, in some pla- 

 ces, we find them brisk three or four leagues off 

 shore, in other places, not so many miles, and, in 

 some places, they scarce peep without the rocks ; 

 or if they do sometimes, in very fair weather, 

 make a sally out a mile or two, they are not last- 

 ing, but suddenly vanish away, though yet, there 

 are every night as fresh land-winds ashore, at these 

 places, as in any other part of the world.''' * 



Being always near the land, we found a con- 

 stant source of interest in the sight of the Andes, 

 and sometimes, also, of the lower lands, close to 

 the sea, which we approached so near as to see the 

 huts, and even the inhabitants themselves ; but, 

 though very desirous of landing to examine things 

 more closely, we were obliged, for want of time, to 

 deny ourselves this gratification. As it was sel- 



* Dampier's Discourse of the Trade Winds, Breezes, 

 Storms, Seasons of the Year, Tides and Currents of the 

 Torrid Zone, throughout the World. Published at Lon^ 

 don in 1699. Vol. II. pages 27, et seq. of his Voyages. 



