Ponta Branca is really composed of three bluffs; the southern one has a few large stones lying off it to a distance of 200 yards; the northern bluff of the Ponta is a little more than three-tenths of a mile, N. 35° W. from its eastern bluff, and forms a fine bold promontory, the peak immediately over it being 1,390 feet above the sea.

The

Three rocky islets lie off Ponta Branca; the first bearing from the northern extremity of the bluff N. 64° E., three-tenths of a mile, is named Rocha do Pescador It is about 470 yards in length, by 270 in breadth, with a broken coast above of rocky cliffs. There is a peak at its north side 358 feet in height; and the whole summit of the islet is covered with trees. second islet, named Roche de San Lourenço, bears from the peak of Pescador N. 12° E., 0'.62; it is very small, a mere cluster of rocks with a few trees upon them, 38 feet above the sea. The third and outer islet is Rocha de N.E., bearing N. 5° E., 0'.6 from San Lourenço. It is nearly the same size as Pescador, and like that islet its coasts are composed of steep rocky cliffs of very irregular outline; it is thickly wooded, and near the centre of it is a peak 330 feet high.

The islets are all steep-to with navigable channels between them. They stand on a rocky bank of unequal soundings, which extends more than a mile to the N.N.W. of the outer islet. The least water found upon it was 10 fathoms. This rocky patch bears from the peak of Rocha de N.E., N. 32° W., distant 2'.3 miles, and is on the meridian of Ponta Branca.

The edge of the bank to the east of the islets runs nearly parallel with them at the distance of only half a mile; and after passing the northern one it trends to the north-westward.

N. 73° W., 1 4-10ths mile from the north extremity of Ponta Branca is Ponta da Cruz. It is rather a sharp salient point; and north of it, onetenth of a mile is a curious crescent-formed rock, a few feet above the sea, its convex side facing westward.

Between these points are two small bays; the first extends from Ponta Branca to the bold head of Ponta de Ninho de Guisoxe, off which latter about 250 yards lies a breaking rock; the second bay is west of it; both are full of little rocky points with large stones at their bases, none of them, however, extending more than 100 yards from the cliffs. Directly inland of Ponta da Cruz, about nine-tenths of a mile to the south, is the remarkable sharp-pointed peak of Juliana. It is columnar or basaltic, and rises 1,492

feet above the sea.

At Ponta da Cruz the coast trends to the south-westward. The next extreme that comes to view is Ponta da Fonte, bearing S. 60° W., and distant 1 7-10ths mile. The fountain, from which it takes its name, is situated near the summit of the cliff, three-tenths of a mile to the S.W. of the point. The intermediate coast consists of high cliffs, much broken into coves, and little points as usual, studded with rocks along their base.

Ilheo da Fonte lies one mile N. 56° W. from this point. It is black, of basaltic structure, and terminates in a comparatively sharp peak 270 feet above the sea. At its base, it is about 270 yards in length, by 100 in breadth. It is steep-to, with a clear channel between it and the point; the deepest water being towards the islet; but the bottom is almost all foul ground. Vessels may pass on either side of it, at a distance of 200 yards, in 18 fathoms.

Ponta Varadias is the next point westward of Fonte, from which it bears S. 54° 30′ W., distant 1 2-10ths mile nearly. The southern extremity of the point lies S. 35° 30′ W., half a mile farther, and both extremes are, like the intermediate coast, composed of high rocky cliffs. The hills above this

double point are covered with sand; and on their summits are found those curious fields of fossils, resembling petrified stems of heath, before alluded to. S. 26° 30′ W., 2'.33 miles beyond the southern point of Varadias, is the double-headed point of Furado. The point forms two spurs, the one running north, the other S.W., and they are considerably lower than the cliffs on either side of them. The coast between Furado and Ponta Varadias, preserves much the same character as that eastward of the latter point, viz. :-high broken rocky cliffs and coves, with large rocks and stones at their bases.

Ilheo de Ferro is of a triangular form, and its sides are about half a mile in length. The coasts consist of rugged, and almost inaccessible rocky cliffs, above which is a scanty soil, covered with coarse grass. The most elevated land upon it lies near its north coast, and is 380 feet above the sea. A ledge of flat rock extends from the east point, towards Furado. The channel between them is 330 yards wide, and has no danger in it. On the west of the islet, there is deep water alongside the cliffs; soundings extend from them seven-tenths of a mile to the edge of the bank.

Ponta Furada is the west point of Porto Santo, and from thence Ponta Malhada bears S. 27° E., distant five-tenths of a mile. The land above this point rises to the height of 890 feet; and the coast between the points is high, rocky, and steep-to.

From Ponta Malhada, Ponta da Calheta bears S. 50° E., distant 0',92. In this space the high cliffs are much broken into rocky coves, and as you approach the latter point, there are numerous small rocks close-to the shore.

At Ponta da Calheta the cliffs terminate, and are succeeded by a low sandy beach, fronted by stones and sunken rocks, which latter extend to some distance round the point.

Ilheo Baixo lies to the southward of Ponta da Calheta, its northern extremity being about 430 yards from the point. The channel between them is much narrowed by the rocks projecting from Ponta Calheta, to the S.W.; and by a small bank, running out from Baixo north point, to the eastward; so that the clear outlet lies east and west, and may be about 130 yards wide. In moderate weather it is a safe boat-channel

Ilheo Baixo is 1 mile from north to south. Its greatest breadth near the centre is seven-tenths of a mile, and it is surrounded by high rocky cliffs, everywhere steep-to, except at the north point. On the south-west side of it are two small rocky bays, and its whole coast line is very irregular. On the west side of the island, close to the southward of the rocky head, which forms the north point, there is a cove much used during the summer months by the boatmen of Madeira, who resort to this island for the limestone with which it abounds.

The presence of this mineral on so small an islet is remarkable; the more especially as it is not found either on Porto Santo, the Desertas, or Madeira; a small spot, in the valley of San Vincente, on the latter island excepted. It is quarried from veins, forming galleries, like coal mines, which, however, are entered from the sides of the cliffs.

Viewed from east or west, the island presents rather a tabled summit, having a little hummock near its northern end, 570 feet above the sea. This islet was formally declared national property, on the 7th of November, 1836. The edge of the bank of soundings sweeps round the south point of Baixo, six-tenths of a mile from it to the S.E. At due south, about seven-tenths of a mile, and at S.W. nine-tenths, and the depth increases rapidly outside 40 fathoms. The lead indicates rocky bottom, generally, in the vicinity of Baixo, with occasional casts of fine white sand.

From Ponta da Calheta, Ponta do Incao bears N. 63° 20' miles. The coast line between them is formed by a beauti beach, which falls back into a bay, about eight-tenths of a mil the straight line through the extreme points. A few rocks lie a or very close to it, from Ponta Calheta to nine-tenths of a 1 They terminate a short distance to the eastward of Anna Fe remarkable summit of which is 910 feet above the sea.

On the east side of the bay there are also rocks scattered along the coast from Ponta do Incao to the distance of 1 4-10ths mile westward, and in the meridian of Pico Mazarico, they extend off shore two-tenths of a mile. Between these is an uninterrupted line of white sandy beach.

The edge of soundings, after sweeping round Baixo, so narrows the bank that, when the peak of Anna Fereira bears N W., it approaches within threetenths of a mile of the beach Thence it runs eastward, and with the town bearing north, it edge will be found 14-10ths mile from the shore. It continues this easterly direction to the meridian of the north end of Ilheo de Cima, and then turns south-easterly to the extremity of the narrow fishingbank, extending from the S.E. end of that island. Fine white sand is the general character of the soundings over the bay; but casts of coral, shells, and gravel occur.

From the N.W. coast of Porto Santo, the bank of soundings extends off 8 miles, and from Ilheo de Fonte, its northern extreme, lies about N. 25° W., 6 miles. Its general depth is from 25 to 35 fathoms fine white sand, with frequent casts of rock, coral, shells, and gravel.

Near the north-eastern margin of this branch of the bank is the Falcon Rock, a mere knowl, on which there are 4 fathoms at low water. It stands on a rocky patch, three-tenths of a mile long, and two-tenths broad, on which are 11, 15, and 17 fathoms; and the sea is said to break heavily on it in stormy weather; but this we did not witness. When upon this rock, the highest land of Rocha de N.E. (the outer islet off Ponta Branca), bears S. 60° E., 6.'23 miles; of Ilheó de Fonte S. 30° 10' E., 4'.6; and of Ilheo de Ferro, S. 5° 30′ W., 8'.4.

Vessels coming from the N.E., with a fair wind, may pass it, keeping the Ilheo de Fonte in line with the high land, at the S.W. end of Porto Santo.

On the east side of it, the edge of soundings is half a mile distant. On the N.E., only three-tenths of a mile. N. 37° W., nearly nine-tenths of a mile from the Falcon Rock, is another rocky patch of comparatively shoal water, which has been named after the vessel by which it was explored, the "Styx Bank." The least water found upon it was 11 fathoms, with casts of 17, and 20 fathoms. Like the Falcon Rock, it is situated near the eastern margin of soundings, there being 100 fathoms about three-tenths of a mile to the east of it, in which direction the bank deepens suddenly from 28 fathoms to 100. To the north of it the soundings extend one mile, and deepen rapidly from 45 fathoms; and to the west of it they run off 21 miles.

The edge of soundings then runs to the southward in a waving line, towards Ilheo de Ferro. The whole bank is composed of sand, much interspersed with rock, coral, broken shells, and gravel. The sand is generally white and fine; but, some of it is speckled with red, and coarse sand occasionally occurs."

do

THE

SALVAGES.

These are a group of islands lying 156 miles from Funchal, between Madeira and the Canary Islands. Although but of small extent, they are inhabited; but the inhabitants are very poor, and with difficulty obtain a subsistence. It is usual to avoid these rocky islets when sailing in their vicinity, as there is nothing to repay a visit, and access to them is very dangerous on account of outlying dangers.

GRAND SALVAGE.-The principal island of the group, named the Grand Salvage, is about a mile in extent, and can be seen 16 to 18 miles off, and when viewed either from the northward or southward appears in two distinct hills. The shape of this island is very irregular, and its cliffs being high, abrupt, and bordered with many rocky reefs, renders landing very dangerous. To the N.W. of the island about a mile there are several rocks and breakers; some sunken rocks also lie off to the West and N.E about the same distance; in other respects the island is clear and may be approached with safety to the distance of 2 miles. Most of the dangers show by the sea breaking on them.

The irregular form of the island presents several small bays, the most accessible of which is on the eastern side, where, with a little difficulty, a landing may be effected close to the south-east point of the island. In this bay the depth is from 7 to 40 fathoms; but there are several patches of 2 to 3 fathoms to be avoided. The west and south bays of the island do not appear to be so convenient.

THE PITONS.-To the W.S.W. of the Grand Salvage about 8 miles are two islands, named the Pitons or Little Salvages, the largest of which is nearly 3 miles in extent from N.N.E. to S.S.W., and has in its centre a peaked hill very ragged at the summit. From this hill the land declines in height towards the extremities of the island so unevenly, as to give the island the appearance of being composed of several islets when seen from certain positions at a distance of 5 or 6 miles. The width of the island is about one mile. When seen at a great distance off it is said to bear some resemblance to a sail,

At about a mile from the western side of the Great Piton is the Little Piton, which is about three-quarters of a mile in extent, and of but moderate elevation, On its eastern side is a large rock, named L'Enfant Perdu, upon which the sea breaks with violence.

These islands are surrounded and connected together by breakers which extend 1 mile to the westward of the lesser isle, so that is very difficult if not impossible to approach them for the purpose of landing; consequently such an attempt should be avoided. Between the Pitons and Grand Salvage there appear to be no dangers; at least such were not found when the islands were examined in 1841 by Lieut. Kerhallet of the French Navy.

Between Madeira and the Canaries the current runs to the S.S.W. at the rate of a half to about 6-10ths of a mile per hour. If steering from Funchal to Tenerife or any of the Canaries, the course should be South (true), in order to avoid the Salvages, which are very dangerous, particularly in the night-time. After passing their parallel the course may be changed at convenience. If during the months of December to February, when the prevailing winds are from South, S.W., and West, you are not able to pass them to the westward, you may safely run to the eastward of them, only being careful of the outlying dangers, and not to approach them nearer than 2 miles.

The currents in the vicinity of the Salvages are very variable, running to the S.S.W., S.S.E., and even S.E. at the rate of a half to one mile per hour. In passing them it will, therefore, be necessary to be careful of their drift.

Piton Islands, bearing N. 85° W.

THE CANARY ISLANDS.

This is a group of islands lying between the parallels of 27° 30′ and 29° 30' North latitude, and the meridians of 13° and 18° West longitude. They consist of the following large islands :-Palma, Hierro or Ferro, Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. There are also some smaller islands, as Graciosa, Allegranza, and Santa Clara. The coasts of the islands are high and precipitous, but here and there broken by deep clefts. The mountains generally rise towards the centre of the islands, bleak and bare, and are full of pointed rocks. During the winter there is snow on several of the highest summits. The Peak of Tenerife, a half extinct volcano, rises to the height of about 12,180 feet, and as it is viewed from the sea at a distance, seems to spring out of the water like a sugar-loaf. They are all of volcanic formation, and in parts exceedingly fertile; they produce grain and fruits, both tropical and European, in abundance. An active trade is kept up among the islands, and they have large fisheries on the African coast. There are no close harbours, the anchorage being generally open roadsteads, few of which can be considered safe, except during the fine season. The depth of water between the islands is very great, and the passages are good. Supplies of provisions, &c., may be obtained from any of them, though some of the islands are without water, and depend on rain, which is kept in tanks. Each island has its governor; but the whole group is under a governorgeneral, who commonly resides at Tenerife, though all the law courts are held at Canaria.

The climate of the Canary Islands is healthy. The only bad months in the year are November and December, which are wet and stormy; fogs also prevail at this time, and S.E. gales are strong and cause heavy and dangerous seas, especially in the narrow channels separating the islands. In consequence, at this season of the year, the bays which are exposed from S.E. to S.W. are extremely hazardous, and should if possible be avoided. In January the weather becomes finer, and in February the summits of the