C H A P . IV.
Obfervations > geographical and nautical, with an Account
o f the IJlands near Staten L a n f and thi /Pnintals found
in them.
I T'VIiiiB annexed chart will, very accurately, fliew the di-
-i- region, extent, and pofitionof the coaft, along which
I have failed, either in this or my former voyage; and no
more is to be expefted from it. The latitudes have been
determined by the fun’s meridian altitude, which we were
fo fortunate as to obtain every day,v except the one we failed
from Chriftmas Sound; which was of no confequence as its
latitude was known before. The longitudes have been
fettled by lunar obfervations, as is already mentioned. I
have taken 67° 46' for the longitude of Cape Horn. From
this meridian, the longitudes of all the other parts are deduced
by the watch; by which the extent of t k whole mull
be determined to a few miles; and whatever errors there
may be in longitude, muft be general. But I think it
highly probable, that the longitude is determined to within
a quarter of a degree. Thus the extent of . Terra del Fuego
from Eaft to Weft, and confequently that of the Straits of
Magalhaens, will be found lefs than molt navigators have
made it.
In order to illuftrate this, and to fliew the fituations of
the neighbouring lands, and, by this means, make the annexed
chart of more general ufe, I have extended it down
to 470 of latitude. But l am only anfwerable for the inaccuracy
of fuch parts as I have explored myfelf. In laying Wfe
down the reft I had recourfe to the following authorities. >— %—
Thé longitude of Cape Virgin Mary, which is the moft
efiential point, as it determines the length of the Straits of
Magalhaens, is deduced from Lord Anfon, who made -
2 30' difference of longitude between it and the Strait Le
Maire. Now as the latter lies in 65° 22V Cape Virgin
Mary muft lie in 67° 52', which is the longitude I have
affigned to it, and which, I have reafon to think, cannot be
far from the truth.
The Strait o f Magalhaens, and the eaft coaft o f Patagonia,
are laid down from the obfervations made by the late Eng_
lifh and French navigators.
I The pofition of the weft coaft of America, from Cape
Viftory northward, I have taken from the difcoveries of
Sarmiento, a Spanifh navigator, communicated to me by Mr-
Stuart, F. R. S.
Falkland Iflands are copied from a fketch taken from Captain
M'Bride, who circumnavigated them fome years ago in
his Majefty’s fliip Jafon; and their diftance from the main is
agreeable to the run of the Dolphin, under the command o f
Commodore Byron, from Cape Virgin Mary to Port Egmonr,,
and from Port Egmont to Port Defire ; both of which runs
were made in a few days ; confequently no material errors:
could happen. .
The S. W. coaft of Terra del Fuego, withfefpecl to inlets,,
iflands, See. may be compared to the coaft of Norway ; for,
I doubt, if there be an extent of three leagues where there-
is not an inlet or harbour, which will receive1 and fhelter the
largeft flopping. The worft is, that till thefe inlets are better