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. 267 From Lobos Island Point the coast is cliffy, about 120 feet high, and continues so as far as Payta Point, which is three leagues distant between these two, a mile and a half from the coast, is a cluster of hills called the saddle of Payta ; accurately described by Captain Basil Hall. The Silla or Saddle of Payta is sufficiently remark- able, it is high and peaked, forming three clusters of peaks joined together at the base, the middle being the highest ; the two northern ones are of a dark brown colour ; the southern is the lowest, and of a lighter browTi. These peaks rise out of a level plain, and are an excellent guide to vessels boimd for the Port of Payta from the south- ward. A few leagues to the northward, as already mentioned, is Payta Point, round which is the port of that name. This is without excep- tion the best harbour on the coast, and considerable trade is carried on. Vessels of all nations touch here for cargoes, principally cotton, bark, hides, and drugs, in return for which they bring the manu- factures of their several countries. In the year 1835 upwards of forty thousand tons of shipping anchored in this port. Communi- cation with Europe (via Panama) is more expeditious than at any of the other ports. The town is built on the slope and at the foot of the hill, on the south-east side of the bay ; at a distance it is scarcely visible, the houses being of the same colour with the surrounding cliff. It is said to contain 5,000 inhabitants, and is the sea port of the province of Piura, the population of which is estimated at 75,000 souls. The City of San Miguel de Piura is situated on the banks of the River Piura, in an easterly direction from Payta, between nuie and ten leagues distant. Fresh provisions may be had at Payta on reasonable terms, but neither wood nor water, except at a high price, the latter being brought from Colan (a distance of four miles) for the inhabitants of the place. When we were there hopes were entertained of a supply of water from the west side of the bay ; an American having commenced boring with an apparatus proper for the purpose. There is no danger in entering this excellent harbour : after rounding the point which has a signal station on it, you will open False Bay : this must be passed, as the true bay is romid Inner Point. That point ought not to be hugged closely, for there are some rocks to the distance of a cable's length, and the wind baffles off it. a a 2