The Canary Islands
are, for their latitude, within the usual verge of the true or general
tradewind; which I have observed to be, on this side the equator,
north-easterly: but then, lying not far from the African shore, they are
most subject to a north wind, which is the coasting and constant trade,
sweeping that coast down as low as to Cape Verde; which, spreading in
breadth, takes in mostly the Canary Islands; though it be there
interrupted frequently with the true tradewind, north-west winds, or
other shifts of wind that islands are subject to; especially where they
lie many together. The Pike of Tenerife, which had generally been clouded
while we lay at Santa Cruz, appeared now all white with snow, hovering
over the other hills; but their height made it seem the less
considerable; for it looks most remarkable to ships that are to the
westward of it. We had brisk north-north-east and north-east winds from
Tenerife, and saw flying-fish, and a great deal of sea-thistle weed
floating. By the 9th of February at noon we were in the latitude of 15
degrees 4 minutes so we steered away west-north-west for the island of
Mayo, being by judgment not far to the east of it, and at 8 o'clock in
the evening lay by till day.
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