176
No. 24 (a).
EXTRACT from the Voyage of Lionel Wafer in 1686, describing the
Island of Santa Maria, under the mistaken name of Mocha.
" Tlie island afforded both water and fresh provision for our men.
The land is very low and flat, and upon the sea coast sandy; but the
middle ground is good mould, and produces maize, wheat, and barley,
with variety of fruits, &c. Here were several houses belonging to the
Spanish Indians, which were very weU stored with dunghiU fowl,
lliey have here also several horses: but that which is most worthy of
note, is a sort of sheep they have, which the inhabitants call ' camero
de tierra.' This creature is about four feet and a half high at the back,
and a very stately beast. These sheep are so tame that we frequently
used to bridle one of them, upon whose back two of the lustiest men
would ride at once round the island, to drive the rest to the fold.
His ordinary pace is either an amble or a good hand-gaUop; nor
does he care for going any other pace during the time his rider
is upon his back. His mouth is like that of a hare ; and the hare-hp
above opens as well as the main-hps, when he bites the grass, which
he does very near. His head is much like an antelope, but they had
no horns when we were there ; yet we found very large horns much
twisted, in the form of a snail-shell, which we suppose they had shed ;
there lay many of them scattered upon the sandy bays. His ears
resemble those of an ass, his neck is small, and resembhng a camel's.
He carries his head bending and very stately, hke a swan; is fullchested,
hke a horse, and has his loins much hke a well-shaped greyhound.
His buttocks resemble those of a full-grown deer, and he has
much such a tail. He is cloven-footed, hke a sheep, but on the inside
of each foot has a large claw, bigger than one's finger, but shaqi,
and resembhng those of an eagle. These claws stand about two
inches above the division of the hoof; and they sen'e him m chmbing
rocks, holding fast by whatever they hear against. His flesh eats
as like mutton as can be : he bears wool twelve or fourteen inches
long upon the belly ; but it is shorter on the back, shaggy, and a
Httle inchning to curl. It is an innocent and very serviceable beast,
fit for any drudgeiy. Of these we kiUed forty-three ; out of the maw
of one of which I took thirteen bezoar stones, of which some were
ragged, and of sevend forms; some long, resembling coral; some
A P P E N D I X . 177
round, and some oval, but all green when taken out of the maw ;
yet by long keeping they turned of an ash colour."
No. 25.
By ROBEBT F ITZROY, Captain of H . M . Surveying Sloop Beagle.
You are hereby required and directed to take charge and command
of the schooner Constitución, and the party placed by me under
your orders.
Directly the vessel is ready for sea, you will proceed to survey
those parts of the coast of Chile which Ue between the parallels of
thirty-one and thirty-five : and on or before the 31st of July, you
will endeavour to meet me in Callao Roads.
MEMORANDA :
At this time of year, unfavourable foggy weather may be expected
to impede your progress very materially; but successful, or tlie contrary,
you must endeavour to be punctual at your rendezvous.
At many places the landing will be bad. Do not on any account
land then in a boat. Go near only in a boat; land on a balsa.
On so straight a coast, subject to a contmuance of cloudy weather,
views of the land may be particularly useful. Mr. King is added to
your party, because he draws such views very correctly.
Do not delay in attempting to get deep-sea soundings, when not
hovc-to for other purposes.
Be very particular in noticing characteristic appearances of the
land about anchorages; and such pecuharities of marks, or otherwise,
as may help to guide a stranger.
Notice where and how wwd and water ai'e to be procured.
Let Mr. King keep a journal for you, to be given afterwards to me.
No log win be required by me; but let that journal contain every
note which you consider likely to be useful.
I shall be anxious to send away a tracing of your work, as soon as
possible after your- arrival at Callao.
Remember that Paposo is the northernmost inhabited place over
which the government of Chile has authority. In approaching vessels
or places on the coast of Peru, be particularly on your guard.
Inquire about the earthquake and waves of the 20th of February.
At each place make the chief Authority acquainted with your busiÍ
1 .
•'if"