Canaries] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 9 



Weights arc thus divided : — 



16 Adarmcs equal to 1 Om a, or Ounce. 



8 Oncas 1 Marco. 



2 Marcos » 1 Libra. 



94 Libras • 1 Aroba. 



4 Arobas „ 1 (Juinial. 



Mkasuues arc the fanega, almuda, liquid aroba, and var. The first 

 is used for corn, cocoa, salt, 8cc. 12 almudas make a ianc^a. The liquid 

 aroba contains somewhat more than 3 English gallons, and the quartUlo 

 nearly equals our quart The var is a long measure, about 7 per cent* less * 

 than the English yard. 



OROTAVA lies about 8 leagues to the S. W. of Point Nago, in latitude 

 28° 25 N., longitude 16° 35 W. This is a good port in summer; but in 

 winter ships are often obliged to slip cables, and put to sea, for fear of being 

 surprised with a N. W. wind, which throws in a heavy sea; but these winds 

 rarely happen, and generally give warning. 



No boat will go to a ship in the offing, until she approaches within a 

 mile of the shore, when the pratique-boat puts a pilot on board, who brings 

 her into the road, about a mile to the YV. of the town, where shipping lay 

 moored in 40 or 50 fathoms water: the pilot remains until the vessel departs. 



These pilots are careful to slip, and put to sea, when they apprehend 

 danger. It is commonly calm in this road ; but a long northerly swell 

 causes ships to roll very much, and makes it difficult to land a cargo there. 



The landing-place is near the middle of the town, in a small creek 

 among the rocks. Large boats load wines there, and carry them off to the 

 ships with great dispatch. 



The town contains some good buildings. At each end is a black sandy 

 bay* Along the northernmost is a low stone wall ; at the other bay is a 

 small fort ; and between themy at the landing-place, a battery : but the 

 continual surf is the best defence. Port Orotava is plentifully supplied with 

 good water from a rivulet at some distance, which is brought off to shipping 

 in the country boats. 



TALMA is about 17 leagues from the W. end of TenerhTe; the land 

 extremely high; the coast bold. Its N. point is in latitude 28° 51' N., 

 longitude 17° 48' W. The chief port is Santa Cruz, on the S. E. The 

 mark by which it is found is, when approaching the E. side of the island, 

 it appears shaped like a saddle. Steer so as to fall in a little to windward 

 of the midst of the saddle, till within a mile of land ; then run along shore 

 to the S., till you perceive the town close by the shore, and the shipping in 

 the roads. The town is in latitude 289 38 North, longitude 17° 58 W, 



