PEENANDO FO. 
189 
purpose ; but to keep moving about as tbe most 
likelj way of securing tbe health of the crews, — which 
was now very good, — as well by change of scene and 
excitement, as change of air. Some alarm had arisen 
on approaching the coast, by a few returns of fever, 
which seemed to verify Dr. McWilliam’s opinion, that 
all would be attacked. However there were not 
many cases, and they happily soon recovered. 
We gladly availed ourselves of this prolonged oppor- 
tunity, to become acquainted with this interesting 
island of West Africa. 
Fernando Po lies in the Bight of Biafra, between 
the parallels of 3° 12', and 3° 47' north latitude, 
and 8° 26' and 8° 57 ' east longitude. It is evi- 
dently of volcanic origin. In form an oblong 
square, broadest in the southern extremity ; about 
thirty-five miles in length, and twenty-two in breadth. 
The land is high, and in many parts precipitous. Two 
principal mountain ranges intersect it, running in a 
direction nearly north and south, of which Clarence 
Peak towards the northern end, rising to a height of 
1 1,040 feet, presents the leading feature ; while a 
much less elevated range at tlie southern extreme, 
separates Melville Bay and Cape Badgely, terminating 
in a gradual slope towards North-West Bay. The 
appearance of the island at any view is picturesque in 
the extreme, being well-Mmoded, even towards the 
higher ranges; while skirting the sea-coast, may be 
observed numerous varieties of high and umbrageous 
