a small island of Africa, on the coast of Loango, belonging to the Portuguese. It lies in E. Long. 5°. 10'. S. Lat. 1°. 50' and receives its name from being discovered on New-year's day. According to Pyrard, it is about five or six French leagues in compass; but Bandrand says, it is ten leagues round. Here are two high mountains, the tops of which being continually covered with clouds, occasion frequent rains. On the south-east of the island are two rocks; one of which is low, and upon a level with the surface of the sea; the other higher and larger, but both dangerous in the night to shipping; but between them the channel is deep and clear. These rocks are inhabited by vast numbers of birds, so tame, that the sailors frequently catch them with their hands. On the same side of the island, is a convenient watering-place at the foot of a rivulet, which tumbles from the mountains down to a valley covered with orange and citron trees, &c. and affording a pleasant and refreshing shade; but the road on the north-west side is difficult and dangerous, though most frequented by ships who have no intention of touching upon the continent. In either place it is difficult to take in a sufficient quantity of water, on account of the violent breakings of the sea, and a stone intrenchment erected by the negroes, from which they annoy all strangers that attempt to land. The true road for shipping lies on the north-east side, where they may anchor in seven, ten, thirteen, or fifteen fathoms, on a fine sand close to the land, opposite to the village where the negroes have thrown up their intrenchments.

The climate is wholesome, and the air clear and serene for the greatest part of the year. Every part of the island is watered by pleasant brooks, and fresh-water springs. Annona, which, however, at the new and full moons, or in all high tides, acquire a briskness. The banks of every rivulet are covered with palms, whence the inhabitants extract their wine by incision. Here are a number of fertile valleys, which produce Turkey-corn, rice, millet, yams, potatoes, &c. and afford pasture for abundance of oxen, sheep, goats, &c. Poultry and fish also abound here; but the only mercantile production is cotton, which is esteemed equal in quality to any produced in India, though the quantity is small.

All the inhabitants are meanly clothed; the women have only a piece of linen cloth wrapped under their stomach, and falling down in the form of a petticoat to the knees. They carry their children on their backs, anduckle them over the shoulder. The governor is a Portuguese, who has a few European servants about him; all the rest are natives, who pay him an implicit obedience, and are bigotted in their attachment to the Catholic religion; and provided they can say their patter-nother, ave-maria, and confess themselves to the priest, they reckon themselves good Christians.