He
Assigns This Probable Cause Of The Circular Revolution Of The
Nucleus That The Diurnal Motion, Being Impressed From Without,
Was
not so exactly communicated to the internal parts as to give them
the same precise velocity of rotation as
The external, whence the
nucleus, being left behind by the exterior earth, seems to move
slowly in a contrary direction, as from east to west, with regard to
the external earth, considered as at rest in respect of the other.
But to return to our voyage.
CHAPTER IX: DISCOVERS A NEW ISLAND, WHICH HE CALLS PYLSTAART
ISLAND.
On the 19th of January, being in the latitude of 22 degrees 35
minutes south, and in the longitude of 204 degrees 15 minutes, we
had 7 degrees 30 minutes east variation. In this situation we
discovered an island about two or three miles in circumference,
which was, as far as we could discern, very high, steep, and barren.
We were very desirous of coming nearer it, but were hindered by
south-east and south-south-east winds. We called it the Isle of
Pylstaart, because of the great number of that sort of birds we saw
flying about it, and the next day we saw two other islands.
CHAPTER X: AND TWO ISLANDS, TO WHICH HE GIVES THE NAME OF AMSTERDAM
AND ROTTERDAM
On the 21st, being in the latitude of 21 degrees 20 minutes south,
and in the longitude of 205 degrees 29 minutes, we found our
variation 7 degrees to the north-east. We drew near to the coast of
the most northern island, which, though not very high, yet was the
larger of the two: we called one of these islands Amsterdam, and
the other Rotterdam. Upon that of Rotterdam we found great plenty
of hogs, fowls, and all sorts of fruits, and other refreshments.
These islanders did not seem to have the use of arms, inasmuch as we
saw nothing like them in any of their hands while we were upon the
island; the usage they gave us was fair and friendly, except that
they would steal a little. The current is not very considerable in
this place, where it ebbs north-east, and flows south-west. A
south-west moon causes a spring-tide, which rises seven or eight
feet at least. The wind blows there continually south-east, or
south-south-east, which occasioned the Heemskirk's being carried out
of the road, but, however, without any damage. We did not fill any
water here because it was extremely hard to get it to the ship.
On the 25th we were in the latitude 20 degrees 15 minutes south, and
in the longitude of 206 degrees 19 minutes. The variation here was
6 degrees 20 minutes to the east; and, after leaving had sight of
several other islands, we made that of Rotterdam: the islanders
here resemble those on the island of Amsterdam. The people were
very good-natured, parted readily with what they had, did not seem
to be acquainted with the use of arms, but were given to thieving
like the natives of Amsterdam Island.
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