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

APPENDIX. 255 hills are near the coast, and from four hundred to five hundred feet high. The point or head of Salinas is five miles in length, in a north and south direction ; off its southern extreme is a reef of rocks, a quarter of a mile from the shore ; and at its northern part, called Las Bajas, is an islet at a cable's distance ; between these points are two coves fit only for boats ; there is a remarkable round hill, called Salinas, at a short distance from the coast, and further in shore, is a level, sandy plain ; at the south side of this plain is a number of salinas, or salt-ponds, from which the headland takes its name. These ponds are visited occasionally by people from Huacho. Off the south part of Salinas, in a south-west direction, lie the Huara Islands, the largest of which is called Mazorque. It is two hun- dred feet in height, three-quarters of a mile long, and quite white ; sealers occasionally frequent this island ; there is landing on its north side. The next in size is called Pelade ; it lies S. 49° W. six miles and a half from Mazorque, is about one humdred and fifty feet high, and apparently quite round ; between these two islands a safe passage exists, and may be used without fear in working up to Callao. Be- tween Mazorque and SaUnas are several smaller islands, all of which, from their appearance, may be approached without danger ; but as no advantage could be gained, it would not be prudent to risk going between them. Vessels, in working up, sometimes go between the inner one and the point ; but what they gain by so doing does not appear, for when the current sets to the southward, it runs equally as strong between Mazorque and Pelade as it does nearer the shore. Round the northern point of Salinas Head is the bay of that name, of large dimensions, and affording anchorage. From this bay the coast is moderately high and cliffy, without any break, until you reach the Bay of Huacho. This bay lies round a bluff head, is small but the anchorage is good in five fathoms, just within the two rocks that run off the northern part of the head. The town is built about a mile from the coast, in the midst of a fertUe plain, and in coming from seaward has a pleasant appcEirance ; it is not a place of much trade, but whale-ships find it useful for watering and refreshing their crews. Fresh provisions, vegetables, and fruit, are abundant and on reasonable terms ; wood is also plentiful, and a stream of fresh water