Explore "Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir Coast, Singapore, and China, Volume 1" by George Bennett on Textopian.
Island of Porto Santo-Madeira-The Desertas Islands-Town of Funchal-The Physalia, or Portuguese man of war-Description of that animal-An experiment-Effects of the Physalia's sting-Method of preserving the animal-Land in sight-Approach to the Cape Verd Islands-Islands of Mayo and St. Jago-Anchor at Porto Praya-The town-Famine-Novel method of Fishing-Tropical trees and other plants-Valley of St. Trinidad-The monkey bread-tree-Springs of water-Severe drought-Negro Huts-Plantations-The gigantic boabab-tree-Residence of Don F. Melo-The Orchilla weed-Date palms-Leave the island.
On the 15th of May 1832, the island of Porto Santo, in latitude 35° 5′ north, longitude 16° 5′ west, was seen bearing south-west, half-south, at the distance of forty miles from the ship "Brothers," Captain Towns, bound to New South Wales, eleven days having elapsed since leaving Plymouth, from whence we had taken our departure. The appearance of the island, when we had reached to within seven or eight miles of it, was generally barren, varied by an occasional verdant patch scattered over the rugged rocks, which terminated in steep cliffs to the water's edge.