Note 88 — INTRODUCTION.

“The Indians of Yca and Arica relate that, in ancient times, they used to make voyages to some very distant islands to the westward; and that these voyages were performed on the inflated skins of seals. Thus signs are not wanting that the South Sea had been navigated, before the arrival of the Spaniards.” Historia Natural de Indias, lib. i, cap. 20, p. 68.