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arc very imperfectly laid down. Indeed of the whole of this
coast, the only general knowledge we have is from the Spanish
charts, which seem, with the exception of certain ports, to
have been merely the result of a running view of the shore.
Of this kind of half-knowledge we have had too much: the
present state of science, which affords such ample means, seems
to demand that whatever is now done should be finally done ;
and that coasts, which are constantly visited by English vessels,
should no longer have the motley appearance of alternate
error and accuracy. If, therefore, the local Governments make
no objections, the survey should be continued to Coquunbo,
and indefinitely to the northward, till that period arrives when
the Commander must determine on quitting the shores of South
America altogether. That period will depend on the time that
has been already consumed, and on the previous manapment
of his resources, reserving sufficient to ensure his obtaining a
series of well-selected meridian distances in traversing the Pacific
Ocean.
» The track he should pursue in executing this important
duty cannot well be prescribed here, without foreseeing to
what part of the coast he may have pushed the survey, and
at what place he may find it convenient to take in his last
supplies. I f he should reach Guayaquil, or even Callao, it
would be desirable he should run for the Galapagos, and, if
the season permits, survey that knot of islands. Felix Island,
the London hank seen by the brig Cannon, in 1827, in 27° 6'
S. 92° 16' W., even with the water’s edge, and half a mile in
length ; some coral islands, supposed to be 5° or 6° south of
Pitcairn Island, and other spots, which have crept into the
charts on doubtful authority, would all be useful objects of
research if the Beagle’s route should fall in their vicinity. But
whatever route may be adopted, it should conduct her to
Tahiti, in order to verify the chronometers at Point Venus, a
point which may he considered as indisputably fixed by Captain
Cook’s and by many concurrent observations. Except in
this case, she ought to avoid as much as possible the ground
examined by Captain Beechey.
“ From Tahiti the Beagle should proceed to Port Jackson
touching at some of the intervening islands, in order to divide
the run into judicious chronometer stages ; for the observatory
at Paramatta (Port Jackson) being absolutely determined in
longitude, all those intervening islands will become standard
points to which future casual voyagers will be able to refer
their discoveries or correct their chronometers.
“ From Port Jackson her course will depend on the time of
the year. I f it be made by the southward, she might touch at
Hobart Town, King George Sound, and Swan River, to
determine the difference of longitude from thence to the Mauritius,
avoiding the hurricane months ; to Table or Simon’s
Bay, according to the season ; to St. Helena, Ascension, and
home.
“ I f she should have to quit Port Jackson about the middle
of the year, her passage must be made through Torres Strait.
In her way thither, if the in-shore route b^e adopted, there
are several places whose positions it will be advantageous to
determine Moreton Bay, Port Bowen, Cape Flinders, and
one of the Prince of Wales Islands ; and in pursuing her way
towards the Indian Ocean, unless the wind should hang to the
southward. Cape Valsche or the south-west extreme of New
Guinea, one of the Serwatty Chain, Coupang, or the extreme
of lira o r, Rotte Island, and one of the extremes of Sandalwood
Island, may be easily determined without much loss of
time. And, perhaps, in crossing the ocean, if circumstances are
favourable, she might look at the Keeling Islands, and settle
their position.
“ Having now enumerated the principal places at which the
Beagle should be directed to touch in her circuit of the globe,
and described the leading operations which it would be desirable
to effect, it remains to make some general remarks on the
conduct of the whole survey.
“ In such multiplied employments as must fall to the share
of each officer, there will be no time to waste on elaborate drawings.
Plain, distinct roughs, every where accompanied by
explanatory notes, and on a sufficiently large scale to show the