The Brasilian Navigator, or Sailing Directory for all the Coasts of Brasil, &c. from the river Para to the Rio de la Plata

Front matter

THE BKASILIAN NAVIGATOR; nil SAILING DIRECTORY FOR ALL THE COASTS OF BRASIL, ETC. FROM THE RIVER PARA TO THE RIO DE LA PLATA ; INCLUDING GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ROUTES, BOTH FROM ENGLAND AND FROM NORTH AMERICA, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF AND DIRECTIONS FOR THE MADEIRA, CANARY, AND CAPE VERDE ISLANDS, FERNANDO NORONHA, ETC. SELECTED CHIEFLY FROM THE MEMOIR ON, AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR, THE "ATLANTIC OCEAN" AND THE NEW SAILING DIRECTORY FOR THE"ETHIOPIC OR SOUTHERN ATLANTIC OCEAN," JOHN PURDY; TO ACCOMPANY LAURIE'S NEW GENERAL CHART OF THE COASTS WITH PARTICULAR PLANS OF THE HARBOURS. LONDON: PRINTED FOR R. H. LAURIE, CHART-SELLER TO THE ADMIRALTY, THE HON. CORPORATION OF TRINITY-HOUSE, F.TC. No. 53, FLEET STREET. 1844. The CHART which this book is principally intended to illustrate is entitled "General Chart of the Coasts of Brasil, &c, from the River Para to Buenos-Ayres; with Particular Plans of the Harbours.

Constructed, chiefly, from the Surveys of the Baron Roussin and Captain Wm. Hewett, adjusted by the later observations of Captain Phillip Parker King, Captain Robert FitzRoy, and other distinguished Officers of the British Royal Navy." Three large sheets, with Views, 8cc Price, with the Book, 12s. The Authorities on which the Chart has been constructed are fully described in " The new Sailing Directory for the Ethiopic or Southern Atlantic Ocean," mentioned in the title-page of the present work. J. Rider, Printer, 14, Bartholomew Close, London. CONTENTS.

Section I. General Observations

on the Winds, Seasons, Tides, and Currents ; and Directions for the Passages from Europe and from North America to the Ports of Brasil. I. Of the Winds and Seasons, page 1. (See, also, the particular directions.) Trade Winds and Seasons, page 1. On the Eastern Coast of Brasil, 1 : at the Entrance of the Plata, 2: Land and Sea Breezes, 3 : Seasons of Brasil, 4: at Para, 5 : at Maranham, 5 : at Seara, 6 : at Fernando Noronha, 6 : at the Rio Plata, 6 : the Pamperos, 6. 2. Of the Tides.— Northern Coast of Brasil, 7 : Eastern Coast of Brasil, 7 : River Plata, 7. 3. Of the Currents. — The Currents in general, and more particularly the Equatorial Current, 8. 4. The Brasilian Currents — Explained by the Baron Roussin and Captain Hewett, 9 : Extracts from Remarks made by Captain Edw. Sabine, 10 : Experiments made by Capt. J. W. Monteath, 10. 5.

Passages from Europe and from North America to the Ports of Brasil, 11: the Trade Winds, 12: Passage from North America or the West Indies to the Northern Ports, by the Hon. Captain Wellesley, 13 : Passage to the Eastern Ports, 13 : Captain Beechey's Passage to Rio Janeiro, 15 : Remarks on proceeding Westward of the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, by Capt. Monteath, 16: Remarks on the same, by Captain Flinders, 17. CONTENTS.

Section II. Particular Descriptions

of, and Sailing Directions for the Islands of Porto Santo, Madeira, the Canaries or Canary Islands, the Sargasso Sea, the Cape Verde Islands, Fernando Noronha, &c. 1. The Islands of Pomo Santo and Madeira, 18: the Desertas, 19: Madeira, in general, 20 : Positions, 21 : Funchal, 21 : Towns of Madeira, 22 : Funchal Road, 23 : Regulations of the Port, 25. 2. The Canaries or Canary Islands, 26 : Positions of the Islands, 26 : Description, 27 : the Salvages, 27: Lanzarote, 28 : Fuertaventura or Fortaventura, 29 : Canaria or Grand Canary, 30: Tenerife, 31: Roadstead of Santa Cruz and Quarantine Regulations, 33 : Orotava, 34 : Island of Palma, 35 : Gomera, 36 : Ferro, 36. Directions for Sailing among the Canary Islands, by Capt. Glas, 36 : of the Calms of the Canary Islands, by the same, 37. 3. The Sargasso Sea, 37. 4.

The Cape Verde Islands, 38: Positions of the Islands, 39: Ilha de Sal, 39: Bonavista, 40: Madeline Reef, note, 41 : Leton Rock, 42: Isle of Mayo, 43: St. Iago, 43 : Port Praya, 43 : Remarks on St. Iago, by Captain Monteath, 45: Fuego or Fogo, 47 : Brava and St. Nicholas, 47, 48 : Raza, Branco, and St. Lucia, 49: St. Vincent's, 49 : St. Antonio, 51. 5. Shoals, &c, between the Cape Verde Isles and ihe N.E. Coast of Brasil, 52 : Shoals in the vicinity of the Equator, 53 : Penedo de San Pedro, 55. 6. Fernando Noronha and the Roccas, 56 : the Roccas, 58.

Section III

The NORTHERN COAST of BRASIL, from Cape St. Roque, Westward; including Aracati, Ciara or Seara, Tutoya, Maranham, and Para. 1. General Remarks on the Northern Coast, and on proceeding thereto, 59: Banks of St. Roque, 59 : Positions of the principal Points, Sec, 60. 2. Particular Description and Sailing Directions, 61: Aiacati, 61: Coast between Point Toiro and Aracati, 64 : Iaguaripe to Ciara or Seara, 64 : Directions by the Hon. Captain Wellesley, 66 : by Captain Geo. Cheveley, 66: Coast Westward of Seara, 67 : on coming in from Sea, 67 : Description continued, 68 : Jericoacoara, 68 : the Pemaibao or Paranahyba, 69 : the Lancoes and Mangrove Coast, 70 : Isle of Santa Anna, 70. Maranham.— Captain Hewett's Description of, and Directions for Maranham, 71: Particular Description, &c, 73: Tides, 74: Description by Mr. Webster, 76: Sailing Directions, by the Baron Roussin and others, 77 : Directions generally for CONTENTS.

V proceeding lo Maranham, &c, by the Hon. Captain Wellesley, 79 : Remarks and Instructions by Lieut. Stopford, R.N., 80 : General Remarks on quitting Maranham and returning toward Europe, 81 : Shoal of Manoel Luis, 82. Maranham to Para. — Province of Para, 82: Rio Para, 83: Description by Mr. Webster, 84 : Remarks and Directions by the Hon. Capt. Wellesley, 89 : Coast between Maranham and Para, by Lieut. Stopford, 90 : Directions for Para, by Mr. Richard Thomas, 91 : Directions for making Para, by M. Arnous Dessaulsays, 91 : Barbadoes to Para, by Mr. Jeffery, M.R.N., 93.

Section IV

The EASTERN COASTS of BRASIL, &c, from Cape St. Roque to the River Plata. 1. The Coast from Cape St. Roque to Pernambuco, 95: the Weather, &c, on the Eastern Coast of Brasil, 95 : Position of the principal Points, &c, 96 : the making of the Coast, 97 : Description of the Recife, 97 : Natal or Rio Grande do Norte, 98 : Rio Parahyba, 99 : Itamaraca, 101 : Pao Amarello, 102. Pernambuco and Olinda, — Description , of, 102: Cape St. Augustin, 103 : Interior of Pernambuco, &c, 104: Particular Instructions for Pernambuco, &c, 106. 2. Pernambuco to Bahia or Bay of All Saints, 111 : Positions of the principal Points, &c, 111: Bearing and distances, 112 : Tamandare, 112: Porto Calvo, 113 : Maceio or Macayo ; Remarks by the Hon. Captain de Roos, 113 : Alagoas and Jiguia, 114, 1 15 : Rio San Francisco, 1 15 : the Cotandiba, 1 15 : Vasabarris and Rio Real, 116 : Itapicuiu, 116 : On the Winds, by the Baron Roussin, 117: Bahia, description, 117: Sailing Directions for Bahia, 121. 3.

Bahia to Porto Seguro and the Abrolhos, 124 : Positions of the principal Points, &c, 124 : Morro de St. Paulo, 124: Rio Camamu, St. Georges dos Ilheos, and Belmonte, 125: Porto Seguro, &c, 126: Caravelhas, 127: the Itacolomi, 128: Prado, 128 : the Abrolhos, or Islets of St. Barbara, 128 : Captain FitzRoy's Remarks on the same, 130. 4. The Coast from the Abrolhos to Cape Frio, inclusive, 131 : the River St. Matheo, &c, 131 : Positions of the Principal Points, &c, 131 : Rio Seco and Rio Doce, 132: Espirito Santo or Port Victoria, 133: River Guarapari, 134: Benevente, 134: Coast to Cape St. Thome, 135: Morley Bank, 135: St. Anne's Bay, 136: S. Joao de Macahe, 137: the Ancoras, 137: Papagayos, 137: Cape Frio, 137: Port Frio, 138. 5. Cape Frio to Rio Janeiro, inclusive, 139 : Positions of the principal Points, &c, 139 : Thetis Cove, 139 : Cape Negro, 139 : Currents in the vicinity of Cape Frio 140: Rio Janeiro, 141: Description of the Land between Cape Frio and Rio Janeiro, 141: On entering and leaving the Harbour, 142: Appearance of Rio, 143 : Land and Sea Breezes, Tides, 143 : Landing-places, &c, 143 : Description and Directions by Captain Hewett, 144 : Directions by another Officer, 145 : Directions for approaching from the Southward, by the Baron Roussin, 146 : General Remarks on Rio, by Captain Monteath, 146 *. the Port Regulations, 147 : Description of the interior of Rio Janeiro, by Lieut. Shillibeer, &c, 149.

VI CONTENTS. 6. Rio Janeiro to Santos, 151: Marambaya, 151: Positions of the principal Points, &c, 1 52 : the Ilha Grande, 152 : Gairosu Bay, 153 : St. Sebastian, &c, 153 : thence to Santos, 155 : Santos and Rocks in the vicinity, 155. 7. Santos to the Rio de la Plata, inclusive, 156 : River Iguape, 156 : Positions of the Principal Points, &c, 157: Cananea, 158: Parangua, 158: River Guaratuba, 158 : Island of St. Catharine, 159 : Admiral Von Krusenstern's Description, 159: that of the Baron Roussin, 160: of Captain Barrel, 162: the Coast Southward of St. Catharine's, 163 : the Rio Grande de San Pedro or do Sul, 165 : Mr. Luccock's Description, 165 : Sailing Directions by Captain Grant, 167: by Captain Harrison, 167: Signals at the Rio Grande, 168 : Winds, Tides, and Currents, between the. r Island of St. Catharine and the Rio Grande de St. Pedro, 170: St. Pedro to the Plata, 171. 8.

The Rio de la Plata, Positions, &c, 171 : Maldonado, 172 : Landfalls, or Points of Recognisance on approaching the Plata, as described by Captain Barral, 172 : Description of the River, and Lighthouse on Flores, 173 : Winds, Tides, and Currents in the River, 174 : Depths of the River at the Entrance and in the Offing, 175: Navigation at the Entrance and in the River, 176. Descriptions and Remarks of British Officers, 177 : Monte-Video, 177: Captain Heywood's Remarks concerning the Winds, Weather, Tides, Currents, Soundings, &c, in the Plata, 179: Winds, 179: Tides, 179: Soundings on advancing to the River, 180: Lobos to Flores, 181 : English Bank, 181 : Navigation Southward of the English Bank, 183 : Monte-Video, to the Road of Buenos-Ayres, 183 : On the anchorage off Buenos-ayres, by Mr. R. Thompson, 185 : Port and Pilot Charges, 187: Description of Buenos-Ayres, 187: Navigation Eastward of the River, by Captain Beechey, 181 : Passage of the Conway, Captain Basil Hall, 189.

Section V. Routes

for RETURNING from BRASIL to EUROPE, 190. BRASILIAN DIRECTORY. *** Throughout this Work the given Longitude is the Longitude from Greenwich. In the Sailing Directions the Bearings and Courses are those by Compass, unless where otherwise expressed ; but those given thus — [W.S.W.] — signify the true; but the given direction of Wind, Tide, and ->, Current, is always to be considered as the true. The Depths are those at low water, spring-tides, and the Miles Geographic, of 60 to a degree.

Section I

General Observations on the Winds, Seasons, Tides,- and Currents. I._OF THE WINDS AND SEASONS. Tue nature of the perennial, periodical, and variable winds, which prevail to the northward of the Equator, and which include the Harmattan on the African coast, with the south-easterly trade-wind of the Ethiopic Ocean, has been described in our former Book for the Atlantic Ocean. But on the latter (the S.E. Trade) some further explanation may be giveh, and prove useful. The S.E. trade-wind has been described as more regular than the N.E., and much more serene. Its northern limit, as shown on the charts, and in the volume above mentioned, comes up, in the summer season of the northern hemisphere, very far to the northward of the Equator; so that its mean annual limit is in about 2_° N.; which is probably occa sioned by the excessive heating of the land of Africa, near the Equator.

The N.E. trade seldom proceeds so far South as to reach the Equator. It has been remarked that both trade-winds, in the Eastern regions, blow more directly, that is, more northerly or southerly, toward the Equator than in the ocean at large. The S.E. trade, in particular, continues very far southerly; so that, within a line drawn from 2° N. longitude 15° W. toward Sierra Leon, the wind is seldom to the eastward of S.E. ; but becomes more and more eastwardly as it proceeds westward.** On the Eastern Coast of Brasil, between the months of September and March, the winds generally prevail from N. by E. to N.E. by E. : between March and September, the prevailing winds are from E. by N. to E.S.E. The former of these is generally termed the Northerly Monsoon, and the latter, the souther/y one ; although there appears, in fact, to be no direct and opposite change in them on or about the equinoxes, as is generally the case with the winds so called.

These winds are simply a continuation of the S.E. trade, which changes its direction as above described, and as influenced by the land on its approach thereto.f * In March, 1823, H. M. S. Tartar crossed the Equator, after a favourable passage from Teneriffe, in longitude 22" 11' 20" W. with a strong breeze from the S.S.E. This was the first of the S.E. Trade, which was thence sound to the latitude of 17° S. and longitude 35°. An intelligent commander in the East India service reported, some years ago, that he had once found the N.E. trade-wind reduced in breadth to nine degrees only, and that it then extended to several degrees across the Equator. The month is not given ; it was probably March — (Major RenneU.) f The change in the direction of the trade-winds, from towards the Equator in the eastern regions, to from it in the western, will agree with the theory proposed by Mr. Redfield, that the system of the B WINDS AND SEASONS.

The influence of the land, or rather of its temperature, is more or less, according to the action of the sun at the particular seasons of the year. When the sun is to the northward, no particular difference is observed in the S.E. trade, but it may be carried within sight of the coast, with scarcely any deviation; nevertheless, about both equinoxes, but more especially when the sun is advancing to the northward, calms and very light winds, with apparently no settled quarter, will prevail near the coast; and this may be said to be more particularly the case on that part of it between the Abrolhos and Cape Frio. As the sun advances to the southward, the trade-wind will gradually come round to the north-eastward, and will have its retrograde movement with the return of the sun to the equinox.

At this latter season, ships, on approaching the coast, will begin to discover this northerly inclination of the S.E. trade, when within four or five degrees of it, and which they will find gradually to increase as they incline to the westward. Within a few miles of the coast, and in the different roadsteads and harbours, ihe wind generally blows directly upon it; and, in the deep harbours, and upon the shore, this is, generally, superseded by a land-breeze, which sometimes lasts the greater part of the night. About Rio Janeiro, this land-breeze sometimes extends as far to seaward as Round Island, while at Pernambuco it rarely reaches the roadstead. The preceding remarks are those of Captain Hewett. Pimentel, and, after him, M. D'Apres, has said that the winds of the northerly monsoon, between September and March, are from N.E. and E.N.E., or less northerly than as above; and that those of the southerly monsoon are from E.S.E. to S.S.E., or more southerly.

It may, therefore, be admitted that they do sometimes prevail more from the south, and that those near the north but seldom occur. Mr. Lindley, in his Narrative of a Voyage to Brasil, having resided a considerable time on shore, at Bahia, &c, has described the in-shore wind as follows:—" From Cape St. Augustin, (southward) the wind blows, nine months in the year, chiefly north-easterly in the morning, and north-westerly during the evening and night; this continues gradually changing along the coast, till, at Rio Janeiro and the Rio Plata, it becomes a regular land breeze from evening till morning, and throughout the day the reverse. During the three stormy months, that is, from the latter end of February to that of May, the wind is, generally, southerly, blowing very fresh and squally, at times, from the south-west."

Captain Hewett has observed, that the winds off Cape Frio are seldom found to the southward of East; and, in the northern monsoon, they are generally to the northward of N.E. Heavy and violent squalls are occasionally met in rounding the Cape, to obviate the effects of which every precaution is required. The same officer adds, that, at Rio Janeiro, the sea-breeze varies in the commencement from ten to one o'clock in the forenoon, and ceases in the evening between the hours of seven and eleven. At the full and change of the moon, violent squalls from the N.W ., named by the Portuguese " Terre Altos," immediately supersede the sea-breeze, lasting from four to six hours. The late Captain Peter Heywood, in the British frigate Nereus, was for three years on the Brasil station, and the grealer part of that time in or near the River Plata ; this gentleman describes the winds hereabout as follow :— "At the Entrance of the River Plata, the prevailing winds, during the summer months, from September to March, are north-easterly, with tolerably clear weather over head, but a dense atmosphere near the horizon.

These winds haul gradually to the eastward as you advance up the river; and, about the full and change of the moon, strong breezes trom the south-eastward are common at this season, accompanied wilh rain and foul weather. At Buenos-Ayres, during the summer months, the S.E. winds are generally fresh in the day-time, hauling round to the northward during the night "During the winter months, from March to September, the prevailing winds, at the entrance of the Plata are S.W., or more westerly; but, up the river, more generally from the northward, than from the southward, of west. hZItt, TT "S^_. M t\^' in P°">« °f weather, at Buenos-Ayres; for, the winds being chiefly from N.W. to S.W., the water is smooth, and the communication can be kept el^aled^0^.*^ S*de °v.s *« E<}ua.t0. consisls of h°™*'<* <-**rcuits of revolution, around probably called the hS ZtUA '" '"»" ,Atla**"«* wou'd be around the region of ext.a-tropical calms, the air in th t™ i 1 1" ■' "nd SyStem °f 'he tradeS is not t0 *» ' reserred t0 "** expansion of no. tin _ri T. re>gl°'c ' WlVch WOuld occasion ve'"cal culren-s of air Pa^ng from the Equator northward or southward.— See Nautical Magazine, 1843, p. 73,.. es BRASILIAN COASTS, ETC. up between the shore and the shipping with more facility.

The weather is sometimes, but not frequently, foggy. Fogs are most common in the months of July, August, and Septem ber, and prevail more at the entrance of the river, as far up as the S.E. tail of the Ortiz, than above the banks." The Variable Winds, in the southern regions, being generally similar to those of the northern hemisphere, require no description. Having given above a general description of the Winds on and near the Brasilian coast, we now add some additions to the same from the " Pilote du Br'tsil" of the Baron Roussin, 1827. This gentleman has observed that the general classification of the winds into two monsoons, according to Pimentel, &c, requires considerable modification : for, in his experience on the different parts of the coast, he found the winds very variable in the two seasons : for example, in five months of a southern monsoon they had not forty days with the wind E.S.E. or S.S.E., though, on another coast, easterly winds may more certainly be expected.

The navigators of these coasts reckon much more on easteily winds than any others in the months of October, November, and December, which may be considered as intervening months between the monsoons. The summary given in the Tables of Winds, &c, show, from nearly one year's navigation on the coast of Brasil, their ordinary mutability. The First Table shows the observations made on 130 days of the southern monsoon, commencing on the 20th of May, 1819 ; and it may be noticed that there were only thirty-five days of wind from the S.E. quarter, such as might be expected according to the general classification. During thirty-eighl days the winds were from the N.E. quarter, such as might be expected in the northern monsoon, and afterward there were six days with the wind between North and West, and twenty-three days between West and South.

By the Second Table, which includes the observations of 153 days of the northern monsoon, commencing 1st September, we find seventy-five days of south-easterly winds, seven days with the wind between North and West; six days with the wind between South and West, and only sixty-two days with the wind between North and East.* In the midst of these varieties we find again certain particular winds; the one accidental, the others periodical, and which seem to be of a local and limited nature. Of this class are the S.W. squalls, which come on during the rainy season, at the times of new and full moon : the Brasilians call them Rebojos, and they prevail for three or four days; moderate when accompanied by rain, but with greater strength when the sky is unsettled. " On the southern part of the coast of Brasil, from March to September, commanders of vessels should be prepared to meet stiff south-west gales, at intervals of eight or ten days ; at times oftener.

I have known several vessels jogging onwards, towards their destination, with an old summer suit of sails, but their spars adrift on deck, and boats unlashed, busy painting and cleaning up for a harbour, taken completely unawares, lose their canvas, thrown into considerable confusion, damage cargo, and detained some time longer on their voyage. All this is easily obviated by a little care and atiention ; and the simple noting of the height of the barometer, or sympiesometer, every four hours, would prove a complete guard, as I found both these instruments gave timely warning of the approach of these gales." — Mexicano. The other accidental winds are of the nature of squalls, and are found principally in the environs of the Abrolhos : hence they are called Abrolhos squalls. They are most frequent in the months of May, June, July, and August, when the season is very wet, and the general wind from E.S.E. They proceed, it is said, from small white and round clouds, and with a force that is irresistible.

The LAND BREEZES, on the coast of Brasil, are nearly regular, and are felt all night during the greatest part of the year. They are found on all points of the coast between Maranham, in the north, and St. Catharine's, in the south, but vary in force and regularity according to the season and place. On approaching the Equator, the more discernible they become. At Rio Janeiro they occur daily, and seldom rise before nine o'clock in the evening, and do not finish till the morning of the following day. Such, too, is the case at Espirito-Santo, Porto Seguro, Bahia, Pernambuco, and other places similarly situated. • The Tables here referred to are given in the •'New Sailing Directory for the Ethiopic or Southern Atlantic Ocean," pp. 58 — 60. winds and seasons. During the northern monsoon the land-breezes are more regular than in the southern monsoon ; they are also stronger, because then the volume of wind comes more direct, and beating constantly against the coast, the re-action causes a freshness in the weather on shore, which produces a more regular and stronger effect.

In the southern monsoon the winds are more variable to the South and S.W.; the land breezes are mixed up with them, and are not to be distinguished. The sea-breeze is mostly stronger and broader than the land-breeze. This is the effect of vapour raised from the earth, and accumulated in great quantity during the day; con densed afterward by ihe coolness of the night, it falls and causes the air to expand with greater force. Vessels'cannot always be certain of finding the land-breezes at a certain time in making for the ports of Brasil. But, in general, on advancing southward, following the coast, the winds in the rainy season will be found between South and West, and between the Alagoa das Patos and Cape Frio it sometimes blows violently from between S.E. and S.W., and from the N.W. ; at times, there are hurricanes, similar to the Pamperos of the Rio Plata, which are dreadful.

Of these, the prognostics are the same as of a European gale. If the sun sets environed with thick clouds, if the land appears very distinct, and seems to rise up, approaching the observer, you may expect the winds lo blow from South to S.W. till it brightens up. Fortunately these gales do not long continue ; when furious, they rarely last more than 24 or 30 hours, and their strength and duration diminishes on ap proaching the Equator. When the S.E. or S.W. winds of the southern monsoon are moderate, they come strong from the eastward during the day, and approach the west during the night. So soon as the wind approaches the East the weather always clears up ; to the con trary when it turns toward the West, and the mist comes on more and more thick. The winds are stated to come from the eastward in all the tropical seas ; this is their natural course; the interruptions or changes which occur, in advancing to the land, are nothing but the crisis when passing from one to another.

At 7 or 8 leagues from the coast the general motions of the monsoons will be found. Again, from a communication of Lieut. John Evans, (a) R.N., on a passage toward Cape Horn, we have the following remarks, dated 30th May, 1824. Wind steady at N.N.E. — " It appears to mo, from all that I have heard and read on the subject, to be rather an extraordinary circumstance, our carrying the wind from N.N.E. in the manner we have done, and are still doing, at this time of the year, in the parallels we are passing. After crossing the Equator, we had the S.E. trade inclining more toward the East than could have been expected, with the sun having northern declination increasing; seldom blowing from the southward of S.E., and generally steady at E.S.E. until the 26th instant, when, in lat. 20° 2' S., and long. 38° 11' W., being about two degrees from the Brasilian coast, the wind hauled round to the northward and eastward, and since the 27th we have experienced it steady at N.N.E., generally falling lighter and lighter toward the evening, and freshening up again at night.

"While sailing along the Brasilian coast, I was not so much surprised at the northerly inclination of the wind ; although I believe that, during the months of the S.E. monsoon on this coast, instances have been very rare (I have never heard of one, although I have been several years upon the station,) of a ship sailing along the land, as we did, with the wind sometimes due North, and never to the eastward of N.N.E. ; but now, that we have, since taking a departure from Cape Frio, increased our distance so much from the coast, our position being opposite to the deep bight that falls in westward, to the southward of Rio Janeiro, it certainly does appear to me a strange circumstance that the wind should still continue steady at this point, being entirely at variance with all the authorities I have consulted, with respect to the prevailing winds in this hemisphere at this season ; neither agreeing with the southerly monsoon of the coast of Brasil, nor the S.E. trade in the open ocean.

"This northerly wind continued from 20° 2' S. and 38° W. to 30° S. and 46° W. veering then to the N.W., round to the southward, and taking the sweep of the compass round again to the northward."* The SEASONS of BRASIL may be considered as two only ; the Dry and the Rainy. See note on p. BRASILIAN COAST, ETC. 5 On all the Eastern coast the dry season commences near the end of September, and continues until February, and during the five months of its continuance, thunder-storms frequently occur, but it seldom rains. The rest of the year includes the rainy season ; though the rains are not so constant as fully to justify the name. On the Eastern coast, the only months which may be thus considered, are May, June, July, August, and sometimes a part of September. On the North coast the periods vary; for the heavy rains there commonly begin in December; although, as on the eastern coast, they include May, June, July, and August.

The Climate of Para. — Situate immediately beneath the Equator, the climate of Para is hot and sultry ; the thermometer averaging throughout the day from 84° to 89° in the shade ; and at night occasionally falling as low as 75°, with very heavy and copious dews, especially upon the river, wetting the boats as isa shower of rain had occurred. The river water is warm, generally 84° ; as the air cools in the evening, it chills the surface of the water; and, in doing so, it emits steam or aqueous vapour into the cool atmosphere. Thus the fog, or mist, arises from the warm water of the river, and is not a deposit of dew from the atmosphere upon a surface cooled by radiation. Precisely similar to what occurs in the colder regions of the north, when water is rapidly losing its temperature, previous to freezing, it smokes with steam, and emits a vast volume of vapour, not a drop being deposited on the land : and it is to this that we must refer the mists and fogs, rising from the warm valleys, often before sun-set, and not ascribe them to the deposit of dew from the atmosphere.