GUAYMAS. 
477 
passed a most refreshing night after the fatigues of the 
day. 
Guaymas stands on the eastern shore of the Gulf 
of California, in 28*^ north latitude, and 110° 40' long, 
west of Greenwich. It is completely shut in from the 
sea as well as from the winds. Mountains protect it 
on the main, while islands with elevated hills surround 
it by sea. Next to Acapulco, it is the best port on the 
Mexican coast. The entrance from south to north is 
formed by the island of Pajaros on the east, and by the 
islands of San Yicente and Pitayas and the main land 
on the west. There is another entrance, called Boca 
Chica, from the south-east, having the island of Pajaros 
on the south and the shore of Cochori on the north, 
which terminates at the Motto Ingles^ or English Ham- 
mock. From the principal mouth to the mole is about 
four miles, and the bay is of about the same extent. 
The bottom is so muddy, that ships which are obliged 
to remain some time, find it necessary to raise their an- 
chors every week or so, to prevent their becoming too 
deeply imbedded to be extricated. The soundings 
commence with seven fathoms, and diminish gradually 
to two, at the side of the mole. 
The bay abounds in fish of a great variety and deli- 
cacy ; also with shrimps, crabs, lobsters, and' oysters. 
But plentiful as these are, they are not easily purchas- 
ed, and the market has no regular supply. The Yaqui 
Indians, who are the chief fishermen, after catching a 
lot, live and gamble upon the proceeds until the last 
avo (a small copper coin) is spent ; when they are too 
often obliged to pawn their blankets for the means of 
hiring a boat to go and catch more. 
