or FRANCAIS, Port Des, the name of a bay or harbour discovered by Peyroule on the north-west coast of America, is situated in N. Lat. 58° 37' and in Long. 139° 50' W. from Paris. This harbour was from three to four leagues deep: he entered it with his two frigates in July 1786, and came to an anchor in an island near the middle of it, in 20 fathoms water, with a muddy bottom. The bottom of the bay, he observes, is one of the most extraordinary places in the world; the water is so deep that it could not be fathomed, and surrounded by peaked mountains of a great height, covered with snow, without vegetation, and seemingly condemned by nature to perpetual sterility. He never saw the surface of the water ruffled with the smallest breath of air, or in the least disturbed but by the falling of enormous pieces of ice, which continually detach themselves from five different glaciers. The air was so calm, and the silence so profound, that the voice of man might be heard at the distance of half a league, as well as the noise of sea-birds which hatch their eggs in the cavities of the rocks.

He found the variation of the compass to be 28° E. and the dip of the needle 74°. At full and change of the moon, when it is high water at one o'clock, the sea rose seven feet and a half. The current of the channel at the entrance of the harbour, during the sea breeze, came in like a rapid river, so that it must be impracticable to take the channel when the winds blow violently from the southward; and indeed the currents at all times render the entrance difficult. This harbour possesses many advantages, but is also subject to several inconveniences. It seems not to be convenient for ships to anchor, which are employed in trafficking in skins, because such ships ought to enter many bays, making in each a short stay, since the whole stock of the Indians is very soon disposed of; but it seems to be a very commodious place for the establishment of a factory, and this commercial settlement, it is suggested, should be made on Cenotaph island, a name given to an island in the middle of the harbour, from the monument erected on it to the memory of some of the crew of Peyroule's ships, which were lost in the channel. This island is about a league in circumference, abounds with wood and water, and seems capable of cultivation. The quantity The climate of this coast, according to Peyrouse, seemed much milder than that of Hudson's Bay. For three or four months of the year vegetation was very vigorous; there was found abundance of celery, endive, lupin, and yarrow, with most of the plants which are common in the meadows and mountains of France. Gooseberries, raspberries, and strawberries, were also common in the woods; poplars, willows, hornbeam, and pines, some of which measured six feet in diameter, and 140 feet high, fit for masts of the largest ships. The river seemed to be filled with trout and salmon, and different kinds of fish were found in the bay itself. The variety of birds was not great; but bears, martens, and squirrels, were frequent in the woods. The inhabitants are said to be considerably different from the Californians, being taller, slouter, of a more agreeable figure, having greater vivacity of expression, and a greater share of courage and sense. Their colour is olive, and the hair in general is neither so coarse nor black as that of the South Americans. It is supposed that they are worshippers of the sun, for they were frequently observed addressing themselves in their prayers to this planet; but neither temple nor priest, nor trace of public worship, was seen. It is said that they burn their dead.