204 Mr Scouler's Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. 



gullets of the marine turtles, and probably for a similar use, 

 as the albatross lives principally on molluscous animals of the 

 genus Sepia. 



As we advanced to the north, the D.Juliginosa became more 

 scarce, while the larger species, the D. ewulans, appeared more 

 abundant ; and, as far as our experience goes, we always found 

 that the dark leaden-coloured species was more plentiful in high 

 latitudes, and that the D. exulans always approached nearer 

 the confines of the tropics. The last named species is by far 

 the largest of aquatic birds ; one of them we examined mea- 

 sured twelve feet between the extremities of the wings, and 

 weighed eighteen pounds. The feathers of this species 

 abounded in a large species of Ricinus, and in their intestinal 

 canal we found two intestinal worms, — the one was an Ascaris, 

 which inhabited the oesophagus, and the other was a Tama, 

 which abounded in the great intestines. 



14th December. — This forenoon we saw the island of Mas- 

 safuero, bearing N.N.E. ; and the appearance of land, how- 

 ever inaccessible, is always agreeable, especially during a te- 

 dious voyage. This island had a rugged appearance, termi- 

 nating in steep, almost perpendicular, rocks, which render 

 it of very difficult access. The highest land might be about 

 200 feet above the level of the sea. The only inhabi- 

 tants of this rock are the goats and seals ; and on account 

 of the latter it was frequently visited by vessels occupied in 

 killing seals, and carrying their skins to China. The master 

 of one of these vessels, alike destitute of every principle of ho- 

 nour and humanity, formed the design of taking away a num- 

 ber of the inhabitants of Easter Island, and leaving them to 

 kill seals for him on this desolate spot. With this intention he 

 proceeded to Easter Island, and after seizing a number of the 

 unsuspecting natives who had visited the ship, and secured 

 his unhappy victims, he resumed his voyage to finish his 

 scheme. After being three days at sea, they were allowed to 

 come on deck, under the idea that distance from land would 

 have rendered them tractable, as all hopes of again seeing their 

 native island must now be at an end. In this, however, he was 

 disappointed, for they all leaped overboard, expecting to swim 

 to Easter Island. The boat was sent to pick them up, but 



