that vast ocean which separates Asia from America. It is called Pacific, from the moderate weather the first mariners who sailed in it met with between the tropics; and it was called South Sea, because the Spaniards crossed the isthmus of Darien from north to south when they first discovered it; though it is properly the Western ocean with regard to America.

Geographers call the South Sea Mare Pacificum, "the Pacific ocean," as being less infested with storms than the Atlantic; but M. Frezier affirms it does not deserve that appellation, and that he has seen as violent storms therein as in any other sea; but Magellan happening to have a very favourable wind, and not meeting with any thing to ruffle him when he first traversed this vast ocean in 1520, gave it the name which it has retained ever since. Maty, however, adds, that the wind is so regular there, that the vessels would frequently go from Acapulco to the Philippine islands without shifting a sail.