148 AVOYAGETO Book IV. 



deed, they have an extraordinary ftrength, being felt 

 even to the ifland of Plata. But their greateft force 

 is gradually increafed as v/e approach nearer to Pa- 

 nama. Thefe winds, which blow from, between the 

 N. and N. E. clear the atmofphere, free the coaft 

 from fogs, and are not attended with tempefts of 

 rain ; but frequently fo fqually, efpecially between 

 Cape Francifco and the Bay of Panama, that, without 

 particular care and the utmoft difpatch in putting 

 the fhip in a proper condition, they are often dan- 

 gerous. 



At the period of the brifas, the fures or fouth 

 winds begin to blow and, v/hen fettled, are more 

 violent than the former. But they do not, as many 

 have imagined, blow always precifely from the fouth ; 

 for they fhift from the S. E. even to the S. W. and 

 their diftance from the S. is obferved to be greateft 

 at particular times. When they inchne to the S. E. 

 v;hich is the land fide, they are accompanied with 

 violent, but happily ftiort, tempefts of wind and rain. 

 The fhips, which trade from the coafts of Peru and 

 Guayaquil to Panama, generally fail during the fures, 

 in order to take the benefit of the north wind at their 

 return ; and, by that means, their voyages are eafily 

 and expeditioufly performed. Sometimes, indeed, 

 they fail with other winds, though they are generally 

 longer at fea, in order to reach Paita ; but often this 

 diligence, or rather avarice, is fo far difeppointed, that 

 they are obliged to put in at Tum.aco, Acames, 

 Manta, or Punta de Santa Elena, for provifions and 

 water. 



These are the principal winds in this paflage; and 

 whatever changes may fometimes happen, they are not 

 of any continuance, the fettled wind foon recovering 

 ■its place. 



The currents, in thefe parts, are not fo regular as 

 the winds-, for, during the brifas, the waters run 

 from Morro de Puercos S. W. and W. to the 

 ■ • ; height 



