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

244 APPENDIX. should be made, and run in on, this will be about a league to the southward of the point ; and, if the longitude cannot be trusted. Point Ornelius, being the most remarkable land, and easily seen from that parallel, should be searched for in passing. It lies W. 28° N., fourteen miles from Point Islay — is about two hun- dred feet high — ^has the appearance of a fort, with two tier of guns, and is perfectly white ; the adjacent coast to the west is dark, and forms a bay ; and on the east are low black cliffs ; with ashes on the top extending half-way up the hills. If the weather be clear, the valley of Quilca may be seen, which is the first green spot west of Tambo. Ornelius, however, must be searched for, and when abreast of it Point Islay vdU be seen, topping to the eastward, as two islands off a gradual declining point, the sharp hill before-named in the near range, will also be seen, if favourable weather ; and shortly after the town will appear like black spots, in strong relief against the white ground, when a course may be shaped for the anchorage under the white islets, as before. Landing at Islay is far from good ; a sort of mole, composed of a few planks, with a swinging ladder attached to it, enables you generally, with a little management, to get on shore in safety ; but often at the full of the moon vessels are detained three days or more, without being able to land or take in cargo. Fresh provisions may be had on reasonable terms ; but neither wood nor water can be depended on. There are no fortifications of any description. The coast between Islay and Point Cornejo is an irregular black cliff, from fifty to two hundred feet high, bounded by scattered rocks to the distance of a cable's length ; about two leagues from Islay is a cove, called MoUendito, the residence of a few fishermen : there is a similar cove a little to the eastward of Point Cornejo. West- ward of that point the coast retires and forms a shallow bay, in which are three small coves — Aranta, La Guata, and Noratos ; and W. 36° N., thirteen miles distant, is the valley and river of Quilca, off which vessels occasionally anchor, under the Seal Rock lying to the south-east of Quilca Point. This anchorage is much exposed but landing is good in the cove westward of the valley. Watering js sometimes attempted, by fiilling at the river and rafting off, but must always be attended with much difficulty and danger. The valley is about three-quarters of a mile in width, and differing from the others, which are level, rims down the side of a hill; and from the regu-