no OSBECK'S VOYAGE, 



It feeraed at find as if this wandering fea- 

 plant {Fucus natans), which met us with a 

 northern wind, came from the African coafl, 

 or the ifles on that fide. But in that cafe, it 

 is plain we mould have met it on our going 

 out; becaufe in this very latitude we failed 

 much nearer to that continent, but yet never 

 faw any fuch fea-weed there. The northern 

 trade wind, which pufhed us onward from the 

 fixth degree of latitude on this fide the sequa- 

 tor, makes the Eaji Indlamen on their return 

 take their courfe more to the weft than would 

 elfe be neceflary ; and then they meet with 

 more or lefs fea-weed in proportion as they 

 approach more or lefs to the American conti- 

 nent. From whence we may conclude, that 

 this plant comes from America, fincc it like- 

 wife appears from the accounts we have, that 

 it is to be met with in great quantities in the 

 Gulf of Florida, whence a great ftorm drives 

 it into the open fea ; and the wefterly winds 

 carry it fo far, that even thofe who come from 

 the Eajl Indies get a fight of fome of the produce 

 of the Weft Indies : but other winds keep it 

 from coming quite to Africa, and keep it 

 floating about the ocean. From this, bonets, 

 tunnies, and other fim.es get their fubfiftence \ 



they 



