42 



SAN BLAS TO LIMA. 



If it were required to return direct from San Bias 

 to Lima, a course must be shaped so as to pass be- 

 tween the Island of Cocos and the Galapagos, and 

 to the south-eastward, till the land be made a little 

 to the southward of the equator, between Cape Lo- 

 renzo and Cape St Helena. From thence work a- 

 long-shore as far as Point Aguja, in latitude 6° south, 

 after which, work due south, on the meridian of 

 that point, as far as 11^° South, and then stretch in- 

 shore. If the outer passage were to be attempted 

 from San Bias, it would be necessary to run to 25° 

 or 30"^ south across the trade, which would be a 

 needless waste of distance and time. 



Such general observations as the foregoing, on a 

 navigation still imperfectly known, are, perhaps, 

 better calculated to be useful to a stranger than de- 

 tailed accounts of passages made at particular sea- 

 sons. For although the success of a passage will 

 principally depend on the navigator's own vigilance 

 in watching for exceptions to the common rules, and 

 on his skill and activity in profiting by them, yet he 

 must always be materially aided by a knowledge of 

 the prevalent winds and weather. As many per- 

 sons, however, attach a certain degree of value* to 

 actual observations made on coasts little frequented. 



