ANCHOR OFF BAHIA. 
89 
strong in appearance, is garrisoned by a company 
of soldiers. It is situated about 300 miles from 
Pernambuco, from which place a vessel periodically 
calls with provisions. 
The naturalists particularly regretted to let slip the 
opportunity of instituting a comparison of the vege- 
tation and its organisation with that on the main- 
land of South America. As it was, however, in the 
first landing a few specimens were secured ; and 
the little that was seen was sufficient to clear up any 
uncertainty hitherto existing as to its geological 
structure, which was decidedly volcanic. 
As nothing farther could be done, it was decided 
to leave on the 3rd. For some 20 miles round the 
island the soundings showed a rocky bottom of 
800 fathoms ; outside which, in a south-westerly 
direction, a depth of over 2000 fathoms was found, 
proving that a deep channel exists between this 
group and the Rocas. 
For the following ten days the weather continued 
unsettled and squally. Still, very frequent soundings 
and dredgings were onward in depths varying from 
800 to 2275 fathoms. On the morning of 14th 
September, Cape Antonio was in sight, 15 to 20 
miles distant. This forms the eastern side of the 
entrance to Bahia ; it is covered with trees, and the 
lighthouse and flag-staff on its extreme point stand 
prominently to the front. 
On rounding the cape, the entrance to Bahia de 
