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

248 APPENDIX. long ground swell, made it doubtful if two anchors would hold us till our observations wiere concluded. The only traces we saw of there ever having been any inhabitants at this dreary place, was a pole sticking up on the top of a mound, near the head of the bay. N. 64° W., thirteen leagues from Point Nascais Point SantaMaria, and the rock called the Ynfiemillo. This point is low and rugged, sur- rounded by rocks and breakers. At the distance of a league and a half, inland, to the eastward, is a remarkable table topped hill, called the table of Dona Maria ; this hill may be seen in clear weather at a considerable distance from seaward, and from its height and pecu- liar shape is a good mark for this part of the coast. The Ynfiernillo Rock lies due west from the northern extreme of the point, at the distance of a mUe ; it is about fifty feet high, quite black, and in the form of a sugar loaf ; no dangers exist near it : there are fifty-four fathoms at two mUes distance. Between this rock and Point Caballos, the coast to a short distance west of the small River Yea is a sandy beach, with ranges of moderately high sand hills. From thence to the YnfierniUo it is rocky, with grassy cliffs immediately over it, and some small white rocks l5Tng off. N. 31° W., ten and a half miles from Santa Maria, is Point Azua, a high bluff, with a low rocky point off it; between is a sandy beach, interrupted by rocky projections, and a small stream running from the hills. N. 3° W., from Point Azua, and at the distance of twenty-one miles, is the southern entrance to the bay of the Yndependencia. This extensive bay which is fifteen mUes in length in a N.W. and S.E. direction, and three miles and a half broad, has been till of late years, completely unknown or overlooked : no mention is made of it in the Spanish charts, and it was not till the year 1825 that the Hydrographer at Lima became aware of its existence, and then only by an accidental discovery. It has two entrances : the southern called Serrate, which takes its name from the master of the vessel by whom it was discovered, is formed by the Island of Santa Rosa on the north, and Point Quemada on the south : it is three quarters of a mile wide and free from danger. The northern entrance is named after the Dardo and TruxiUano, two vessels that were con- ve5ring troops to Pisco : they ran in, mistaking it for that place, and were wrecked : many of the people on board perished. It is formed by Point Carretas on the north and the Island of Vieja on the south.