Their Course Is S.S.W.
Until They Reach The Canary Islands; After Which They Steer For The
Island Of Palmas, Which Is Opposite To Cape Bojador On The Coast Of
Africa, And Is About Ninety Leagues From The Kingdom Of Castile.
This
island has plenty of provisions, and abounds in wine and sugar.
The north-
west wind prevails most, and a great sea rages continually on its coast,
particularly in the month of December[2].
If the ships which are bound for the island of St Thomas find it
necessary to obtain a quantity of salt after having taken on board a
sufficient supply at the island of _Sal_, they steer for the coast of
Africa at the Rio del Oro; and, if they have calm weather and a smooth
sea; they catch as many fish in four hours, with hooks and lines, as may
suffice for all their wants during the remainder of the voyage. But, if
the weather is unfavourable for fishing at the Rio del Oro, they proceed
along the coast to Cape Branco; and thence along the coast to the island
of Arguin. The principal sorts of fish on this coast are _pagros_, called
_albani_ by the Venetians; likewise _corvi_ and _oneros_, which latter
are only a larger and darker-coloured species of _pagros_. As soon as
taken, the fish are opened and salted, and serve as an excellent supply
of provisions to navigators. All the coast of Africa, from Cape Bojador,
otherwise called _Cabo della Volta_, as far as Cape Branco and even to
Arguin, is low and sandy.
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