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

264 APPENDIX. although bad, is considerably preferable to Huanchaco ; it is formed by a cluster of hiUs, projecting beyond the general trend of the coast, which at a distance appear like an island ; there is a fishing village at the S.E. side, but no trade is carried on. The town of Paysan lies some leagues to the S.E., and, by the account they gave of it at Malabrigo, must be of considerable extent. The best anchorage here is vidth the \dllage bearing about E.S.E., three-quarters of a mile from the shore, in four fathoms sandy bot- tom : landing is bad, but the fishermen have what they call ' cabal- Htos,' bunches of reed fastened together, turned up at the bow like a balsa of ChUe, but much higher. These are so light that they are thro-WTi on the top of the surf to the beach, when they jump off and carry them on their shoulders to the huts. It seems that each different bay or road has its peculiarly-constructed vessel, adapted to the surf which it has to go through. The small island of Macabi, lies S. by E. two leagues from Malabrigo, with a safe channel of ten fathoms between it and the main land. N. 35° W., six leagues and a half from Malabrigo, is the road of Pacasmayo ; between the two the coast is low and cliffy, with a sandy beach at the foot of the cHff, and soundings of nine and ten fathoms two miles off shore. Pacasmayo is a sufficiently good road- stead, under a projecting sandy point, with a flat running off it to the distance of a quarter of a mile. The best anchorage is with the point bearing about S. by E., and the village east ; you will there have five fathoms, sand and mud : there is no danger in standing in ; the soundings are regular, shoaling gradually towards the shore. Landing is difficult : laimches are used as at Huanchaco. The prin- cipal export is rice, which is brought from the town of San Pedro de Yoco, two leagues inland. Fresh provisions may also be obtained from the same place ; wood and water may be had at the village on the beach, which is principally inhabited by Indians, employed by the merchants of San Pedro. To distinguish this road from seaward, the best guide is to stand in on a parallel of 7° 25' to 30', and when vdthin six leagues, the hill of Malabrigo wUl be seen, which appears like an island sloping gradually on each side ; and a little to the northward. Arcana HiU, rugged with sharp peaks. As you approach, the low yeUow cliffs win appear (those north of the road the liighest), on the summit of which, on the north side of the point, is a dark square buUding that