Nov. 

 1825. 



PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 59 



We quitted Easter Island with a fresh N. E. chap 

 wind, and bore away for the next island placed 

 upon the chart. On the 19th, during a calm, some 

 experiments were made on the temperature of the 

 water at different depths, As the line was hauling 

 in, a large sword-fish bit at the tin case which con- 

 tained our thermometer, but, fortunately, he failed 

 in carrying it off. On the 27th, in lat. 25° 36 S., 

 long. 115° 06' W., many sea-birds were seen ; but 

 there was no other indication of land. From the 

 time of our quitting Easter Island light and varia- 

 ble winds greatly retarded the progress of the ship, 

 until the 24th, in lat. 26° 20' S., and long. 116° 30' 

 W., when we got the regular trade-wind, and 

 speedily gained the parallel of Ducie's Island, which 

 it was my intention to pursue, that the island might 

 by no possibility be passed. In the forenoon of the 

 28th we saw a great many gulls and tern ; and at 

 half-past three in the afternoon the island was de- 

 scried right a-head. We stood on until sunset, and 

 shortened sail within three or four miles to wind- 

 ward of it. 



Ducie's Island is of coral formation, of an oval 

 form, with a lagoon or lake, in the centre, which is 

 partly inclosed by trees, and partly by low coral 

 flats scarcely above the water's edge. The height 

 of the soil upon the island is about twelve feet, 

 above which the trees rise fourteen more, making 

 its greatest elevation about twenty-six feet from the 

 level of the sea. The lagoon appears to be deep, 

 and has an entrance into it for a boat, when the wa- 

 ter is sufficiently smooth to admit of passing over 

 the bar. It is situated at the south-east extremity, 

 to the right of two eminences that have the appear- 

 ance of sand-hills. The island lies in a north-east 



