PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 265 



blowing between S.E. by E. and E. N.E., which- is V iii.' 

 more northerly than the direction of the same trade ^^T^ 



a March, 



between corresponding parallels in the Atlantic. In 1836. 

 consequence of this opposition to the trade wind the 

 currents were very variable, sometimes setting to the 

 eastward, and at others in the opposite direction ; 

 and on the whole, the body of water at that period 

 is not drifted to the westward with the same rapidity 

 that it is in other parts of the ocean within the in- 

 fluence of the tropical winds. The mean tempera- 

 ture for the above-mentioned period, the weight and 

 humidity of the atmosphere, with other meteorolo- 

 gical observations, are given in the Appendix to the 

 4to ed. under their respective heads. 



For the information of persons who may traverse 

 this archipelago, it is evident from the account of 

 Tuwarri, that there is a small island situated about 

 half way between Byam Martin and Barrow Islands, 

 which was not seen by us ; and hence it is possible 

 that there are other low islands lying between the 

 tracks of the Blossom which were not seen ; and 

 ships ought in consequence to keep a vigilant look- 

 out during the night, or adopt the precaution of 

 lying to when the weather is dark or thick. The 

 lead is no guide whatever in these seas, and the 

 islands are so low that in the night the white line 

 of the surf or the roar of the breakers would give 

 the first warning. Fallacious as the appearance of 

 birds is generally considered, and in some parts of 

 the globe justly so, in this archipelago, when seen 

 in flocks, it is an almost certain indication of land. 

 They range about forty miles from the islands, and 

 consist principally of black and white tern. This, 

 however, applies particularly to uninhabited islands ; 



