THE PACIFIC OCEAN. n 7 



refpect, they refemble the Society and Friendly Iflands, '779- 



, . , - March. 



which are, in a great meafurc, free from thefe dreadful vi- 

 sitations. 



During the four winter months that we remained amongft 

 thefe iflands, there was more rain, efpecially in the interior 

 parts, than ufually falls during the dry feafon in the iflands 

 of the Weft Indies. We generally faw clouds collecting 

 round the tops of the hills, and producing rain to leeward ; 

 but after they are feparated from the land by the wind, they 

 difperfe, and are loft, and others fucceed in their place- 

 This happened daily at Owhyhee : the mountainous parts 

 being generally enveloped in a cloud ; fucccflive fhowers 

 falling in the inland country; with fine weather, and a clear 

 fky at the fea-fhore. 



The winds in general were, from Eaft South Eafl to North 

 Eaft; though this fometimes varied a few points each way 

 to the North and South ; but thefe were light, and of fhort 

 duration. In the harbour of Karakakooa, we had a conflant 

 land and fea-breeze every day and night. 



The currents feemed very uncertain ; fometimes fetting to 

 windward; and, at other times, to leeward, without any re- 

 gularity. They did not appear to be governed by the winds., 

 nor any other caufe that I can aflign : they frequently fet to 

 windward againft a frefh breeze. 



The tides are very regular, flowing and ebbing fix hours 

 each. The flood comes from the Eafhvard ; and it is high 

 water at the full and change of the moon, forty-five mi- 

 nutes paft three, apparent time. Their greateft rife is two 

 feet feven inches ; and we always obferved the water to be 

 four inches higher when the moon was above the horizon, 

 than when it was below. 



7 Th^ 



