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

246 APPENDIX. leagues and a half, is a high rocky point, the termination of the Mono, or hill of that name. This mount shoM's very prominently, and has several summits to it ; on the east side is a valley that sepa- rates it from another lovi^er hiU, with two remarkable paps, and on the west it slopes suddenly to a sandy plain ; the nearest range of hills to the westward are thrown in-shore considerably, making Morro Chala still more conspicuous. W. 26° N., eighteen miles from Point Chala, is Point Chavini, which appears like a rock on the beach ; between the two is a sandy beach, with Uttle green hillocks and sand-hills ; there are also two rivulets, rimning from the valleys of Atequipa and Lomas, that are seen in the distance. Half a mile to the westward of Chavini is a small white islet, and a cluster of rocks level with the water's edge ; hence to the road- stead of Lomas a sandy beach continues, with regular soundings oif it, at two miles from the shore. Point Lomas projects at right angles to the general trend of the coast, and, similar to Atico, is all but an island ; it may easily be distinguished although low, by its marked difference (being black rock) from the adjacent coast. This road is the port of Acari, affords good anchorage in from five to fifteen fathoms, and tolerable landing ; it is the residence of a few fishermen, and used as a bathing place for the inhabitants of Acari, which, from the information obtained, is a populous town several leagues in-land. AH supplies, even water, are brought here by thostf who visit it : the fishermen have a well of brackish water scarcely fit for use. Boats occasionally call here for otters, which are plentifidat particular seasons. W. 21° N., twenty-three miles from Lomas Road, is the Harbour of San Juan ; and eight miles further, that of San Nicolas. The former is exceedingly good, and fit for a vessel to undergo any repairs in, or heaving dovra, in case of necessity, without being inconvenienced by a swell ; but all materials must be brought, as well as water and fuel, none of which are to be found there. The shore is composed of irregular broken cliffs, and at the head of the bay is a sandy plain ; still the harbour is good, indeed much better than any other on the south-west coast of Peru, and might be an excellent place to run for if in distress. It may be distinguished by Mount Acari, a remaikable sugar-loaf hiU, almost perpendicu-