PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 7 



After the eclipse, and when the sun was shining 

 bright, 



Black Blue Scarlet, Pea-Green, Yellow, JJ25! 



burned instantly ; instantly ; 2 s ; 7 S ,8 ; 4%3. 



The results are the mean of several observations ; 

 and the intervals, the number of seconds between 

 the rays being brought to a focus on the cloth, and 

 its ignition. 



After losing the trade-wind, we went through 

 the usual ordeal of baffling winds and calms, with 

 oppressively hot moist weather, and heavy rains ; 

 and then, on the 19th, in latitude 5° 30' N., got the 

 south-east trade, with which we pursued our course 

 towards the equator, and crossed it on the 24th, in 

 longitude 30° 2' West, much further from the meri- 

 dian of Greenwich than choice would have dictated. 

 Some anxiety was in consequence felt lest the cur- 

 rent, which here ran to the westward at the rate of 

 thirty miles a day, should sweep the ship so far to 

 leeward, as to prevent her weathering Cape St- 

 Roque, the north-eastern promontory of the Brazilian 

 coast, which would materially protract the passage, 

 by making it necessary to return to the variable winds 

 about the equator in order to regain the easting, as 

 it is almost impossible to make way against the rapid 

 current which sets past Cape St. Roque. 



During the forenoon of the 26th, we observed 

 an unusual number of birds. To our companions, 

 the tropic bird, shearwaters, and Mother Carey's 

 chickens, were added gannets and boatswains : they 

 were conjectured to be the forerunners of land; 

 and, at three o'clock, the island of Fernanda Nor- 

 hona was seen from the deck, bearing southwest, 

 twelve leagues. When we had neared this island 



