180 



POP.TER H J OrRNAL, 



portance of the southern whale-fishery, I hope I may he 

 pardoned for enlarging a little on that subject, for the ad-? 

 vantage of those who are strangers to the Pacific ocean. 



First, as respects the best place for finding spermaceti 

 whales, I should recommend cruising a short time ojOf the 

 island of Mocha. Indeed, some vessels have filled up their 

 cargoes at this place, and even farther south ; but, as they 

 are here subject to a great deal of tempestuous weather, it 

 is found too harassing for their people, and soon brings on 

 the scurvy and other diseases. From thence angle the 

 coast as far down as Conception, keeping the land in sight ; 

 and, after cruising here a short time, put into Conception 

 for wood, water, and refreshments, if you have not already 

 obtained them at Mocha. From thence work down along 

 the coast of Chili and Peru, keeping at the distance of from 

 twenty to eighty leagues from the land ; make the land in 

 the latitude of 14" or 15' south, and from thence down to 

 the Lobos de Mar^ keeping at the distance of from twenty 

 to forty leagues from the land. Cruise close in with the 

 Lobos Islands, as the spermaceti whales resort much to this 

 place, and are frequently taken within two leagues of the 

 shore. From the Lobos Islands proceed to cruise in about 

 the latitude of 5° south, angling down the coast, and incli- 

 ning off shore towards the Gallipagos Islands, about the 

 whole of which spermaceti whales may be found, but in 

 the greatest abundance near Rock Rodondo. To go 

 over the ground I have already marked out, and to exa- 

 mine it with care, will require from three to four months ; 

 and it should be so arranged, if possible, that your arrival 

 among the Galhpagos be in tlie month of May, June, or 

 July. By this means you will escape the most tempestu- 

 ous seasons of the coast of Chili. After cruising here two 

 or three months, it is likely that it will be necessary to go 

 into port, on account of the health of your people, as not 

 even the tortoises of those islands will prevent their having 

 the scurvy. Proceed now for Tumbez, on the coast of 

 Peru ; here you may, if necessary, renew your stock of wa- 

 ter and wood, and lay in a supply of vegetables. From 

 Tumbez stretch off to the southward and westward, keep- 

 ing on that tack until you can make Juan Fernandez or 

 Massafuero ; then stretch in for Mocha, and go over the 

 same ground again, if you have not already filled your ves= 



