622 JOURNAL OF THE 



quite free from sea-sickness, than I had expected, and became 

 anxious to extend my observations to the temperature of the 

 air, and to the barometer. Our instrument had not been 

 rectified, and being without a thermometer to mark the 

 temperature of the quicksilver, was rather useless : in our 

 days, such imperfect observations are of little value. Nor 

 could I find on the whole deck a place for my thermometer, 

 without exposing it to many dangers, and the contrivance 

 proposed by me for that purpose, and approved of by the 

 captain, is not yet finished. 



This evening I paid particular attention to the phospho- 

 rescence of the sea. In this latitude it is not seen except in 

 the wake of the ship. Only the waves nearest the vessel 

 were illuminated, and in fact, it appeared to me, that it was 

 solely the case with those actually in contact with it. If so, the 

 phosphorescence would seem, here at least, to be the result 

 of mere mechanical friction. It did not appear to be much 

 influenced by the moisture or dryness of the atmosphere, for 

 being very strong on Saturday evening, when the psychro- 

 meter showed a difference of 1.1° (56.1° against 55°). No 

 animals or plants were picked up. At a distance I descried 

 some dolphins, others saw Alga and Nautili; and some tired 

 swallows settled on the ship. 



Friday, May 21.— We reached Madeira in the morning. 

 The Flora of this island has become of late better known, 

 through Mr. Lowe, who has described many new species. I 

 intended to devote the few days of our stay to the study of 

 the indigenous plants ; but the uncertainty of our departure 

 did not allow of distant excursions, and obliged me to limit 

 myself to the vicinity of Funchal. I took immediately a 

 walk along the south-eastern coast, with Mr. Lowe, who 

 kindly pointed out the habitat of many indigenous species, 

 amongst which were chiefly Mathiola Maderensis, Sideroxylon 

 Marmulana, etc. On Saturday, 22nd, I was early on horse- 

 back, towards the Ribeira Frio, where, according to Mr. 

 Lowe, the choicest native plants are to be found. The road 



