INTRODUCTION. 
lands, fituated in the South Atlantic, have been brought 
forward into view. If the ifle of Georgia had been for¬ 
merly feen by La Ruche, in 1675, and by Mr. Guyot, in the 
fhip Lion, in 1756, which feems to be probable, Captain 
Cook, in 1775, has made us fully acquainted with its extent 
and true polition; and, in the fame year, he added to the 
map of the world Sandwich Land, hitherto not known to 
exift, and the moft Southern difcovery that has been ever 
accomplifhed *. 
II. 
Though the Strait of Magalhaens had been frequently 
vifited, and failed through by fhips of different nations, 
before our time; a careful examination of its bays, and 
harbours, and head-lands, of the numerous illands it con¬ 
tains, and of the coafts, on both fides, that inclofe it; and 
an exaCt account of the tides, and currents, and foundings, 
throughout its whole extent, was a talk, which, if Sir 
John Narborough, and others, had not totally omitted, 
they cannot be faid to have recorded fo fully, as to pre¬ 
clude the utility of future inveftigation. This talk has 
been ably and effectually performed by Byron, Wallis, and 
Carteret; whofe tranfaCtions in this Strait, and the chart of 
it, founded on their obfervations and difcoveries, are a moft 
valuable acceflion to geography. 
III. 
If the correCl information, thus obtained, about every 
part of this celebrated Strait, fhould deter future adven¬ 
turers from involving themfelves in the difficulties and 
* See the Chart of Difcoveries in the South Atlantic. Cook’s Voyage, Vol. ii. 
p. 210. 
embarraffments 
