Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2- Appendix): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

Al'PEXDIX. 941 shingle beach at the foot of the before-mentioned cUffs ; regular soundings, which continue gradually increasing until youreach Point Coles, may be obtained at the distance of two mUes, in from fifteen to t\\"enty fathoms. W. 21° N., at the distance of thirty-one miles from Point Sama, is Point Coles ; the coast between is alternately sandy beach, with low clifi^, and moderately high table land a short distance from the coast. I doubt if landing could be effected any where between Arica and Port Coles, as a high swell sets directly on this part and appears to break with redoubled violence. PoixT Coles is very remarkable ; it is a low, sandy spit, rmining out from an abrupt termination of a line of table land. Near its extreme is a cluster of small hummocks, the whole, at a distance, appearing as an island ; off the point, to the south-west, is a cluster of rocks or islets, but no hidden dcuiger exists, although there is gene- rally a quantity of froth, under which a reef may be suspected. N. 13° E., five miles and a half from this point, is the \'illage and roadstead of Ylo. This is a poor place, containing about three hun- dred inhabitants, under the local governor and captain of the port. But httle trade is carried on, and that chiefly in guano : a mine of copper has been lately discovered, which may add to its imporlance. The inhabitants have to supply the necessaries of life by cultiva- tion, and do not care to trouble themselves about luxuries. Water is scarce, and wood is brought from the interior, so that it is not on any account a suitable place for shipping. The best anchorage is off the village of Pacoche (a mile and a quarter south of the town), in twelve or thirteen fathoms, and the best landing is in Huano Creek : but bad, indeed, is the best, and great care must be taken lest the boat be swamped, or hurled with violence against the rocks. In going into Ylo, the shore should not be approached nearer than half a mile (as many sharp rocks and blind breakers exist), until three small rocks, called ' the Brothers,' always visible inside the table end, bear east, when the village of Pacoche may be steered for, and anchorage taken abreast of it, as convenient. English Creek affords the best landing, but boats are forbidden that cove, to prevent contraband trade being carried on. From Ylo, the coast trends to the westward, with a cliffy out- line, from two to four hundred feet in height, and with one or two