Geographical Collections. 205 
of the Rio Gila, that stream falling into the Rio Colorado half a league below 
them. The point of land which divides the Rio Colorado from the Gila, the 
lieutenant named Arnold’s Point, and the one on the opposite side of the same 
reach, he called N ewburgh’s Point. 
In “proseeding up the river in a small boat, Mr. Hardy fell in with some of 
the natives, who afterwards frequently visited the vessel. The natives were en- 
tirely naked, having only a few strips of the willow or acacia tied scantily round 
their waists. They had a beautiful fishing-net made of grass, and also burnt 
earthen jars extremely well made. Their nation, which is called the *‘ Axua,”’ 
are remarkable for being very dirty, and will even roll themselves in mud. They 
are of a middle stature, and formed for labour rather than for the more active em- 
ployment of the chase. 
The cacique of this nation is called Comayo, which seems to be a family name ; 
and it appears that the Jesuits fell into a mistake in calling the whole nation 
after the name of its chief, as we see ‘‘ Comayo Nation”’ in the maps of this 
country. ‘There is another chief whose name is Yahmaho. Mr. Hardy thinks 
Comayo means, in the Axua language, “‘ Great Captain,” and Yahmaho, ‘‘ Son 
of the Captain.” 
The Indians live upon fish, fruits, and vegetables, and the seeds of grass, and 
many of them are dreadfully scorbutic. Their arms of offence are bows and ar- 
rows, a very fine lance, and what is called Macdana, a short club like a wooden 
mallet, which is used in close quarters. Their intentions towards Lieut. Hardy 
were at first very hostile. He succeeded in gaining their friendship by bringing 
an old woman over to his side. 
The most northerly island which our navigator reached was Thomas’ Island, 
in lat. 32° 12’ N., and long. 114° 24’ W. 
- Mr. Hardy regretted exceedingly, in determining the longitude of the mouth 
of the Rio Colorado, as well as other islands, bays, and points, which he disco- 
vared near the head of the Gulf of California, that he had not with him a first- 
rate chronometer. Neither could he determine them from lunar observations ; 
first, because he had no sextant ; and secondly, for the want of a nautical alma- 
nack. In the chart which we have copied, drawn up by himself and Mr. Lin- 
don, he has laid down, as correctly as his means of observation enabled him to 
do, every headland, island, rock, and shoal; and, by its assistance, he thinks 
every navigator may go from the Port of Guaymas to the Rio Colorado with the 
greatest safety, and the utmost confidence. 
Captain Forster’s Scientific Voyage. 
TuE arrival ef the Chanticleer (Captain Forster) at Mussel Bay, Cape of Good 
Hope, has enabled us to obtain some further details on the route pursued by that 
vessel. .It appears that the magnetic experiments began at Monte Video, which 
the Chanticleer left on the 5th October last year, and. proceeded to Staten Island, 
on the east coast of Terra del Fuego. On the 21st they put into this island, and 
remained in a snug little cove on the northern side for two months, making nu- 
merous philosophical experiments, and swinging the pendulum. This harbour 
Captain Forster named Port Cook, after the great navigator. Staten Island is 
covered with extensive woods, crowning even the summit of the hills. Plants, 
shells, sea weeds, and a great collection of geological specimens, illustrative of 
the places visited, with some stuffed birds and insects, have been sent home. 
The barometric pressure is low, the mean being 29.32 inches ; magnetic intensity: 
low ; the predominating winds westerly ; electric phenomena extremely rare. 
The principal tree is the antarctic beech, (Betula antarctica, Forst.) which, be- 
ing an evergreen, clothes the country with a perpetual verdure. Celery, scurvy 
grass, and some berries of an elegant arbutus, were among the most useful vege- 
