navigator ascertained, that its breadth is not so great as had hitherto been supposed.
From Success Bay, he steered to the east, and then, on the 31st, he bore up for the east end of Staten Land, intending to explore the east and south coasts of this country, with which mariners were as yet but little acquainted. His progress this day was retarded by thick foggy weather; and he cast anchor near the most easterly of some islands on the N.E. coast of Staten Land. On this island, the boats landed with a large party, who Billed vast numbers of a large kind of seals, called sea-bears, and a still larger species, called sea-lions; the young being killed for food, the old for their skins and blubber. Quantities of young penguins and shags, with some geese and ducks, were also procured; and afforded many agreeable meals. Next day, January 1st, 1775, Mr. Gilbert discovered a good harbour in Staten Land; which, on account of the day, was called New Year's Harbour, while the isles that lay off it were named New Year's Isles. On monday, the 2nd, further supplies of young seals and penguins were procured from the island; and on the 3rd, our navigator stood for Cape St. John, the eastern point of Staten Land; and having passed round this cape, he hauled up along the south coast, till he attained a good view of Cape St. Bartholomew, the S.W. point of Staten Land; after which he bore away towards the S.E.
Capt. Cook closes his account of this part of the world, with some observations relating to his valuable chart of the southern extremity of America, and notices respecting the tides, currents, variation of the compass, and other matters useful for navi-
