DEPARTURE FROM NEW ZEALAND. 183 



From this date until the 11th of July we experi- 

 enced a succession of heavy gales, with a very slight 

 proportion of moderate weather ; and we observed 

 that the squid was floating on the surface in great 

 quantities. The entire absence of whales and black- 

 fish caused us to conclude that some disease had 

 atiected the squid, causing it to die and appear on 

 the surface, and also rendering it unpalatable to the 

 fish. Deeming it of little use to remain longer, we 

 bade adieu to New Zealand ; and, with square yards 

 and a fair, though light wind, we stood away from 

 it. Its high clifl's were discernable the next day, 

 when by computation we were one hundred and 

 twenty miles distant. And now, that we had left its 

 snow-capped mountains, its heavy gales, dense fogs, 

 and cold, inhospitable climate, behind us, we rejoiced 

 in the prospect of warmer and pleasanter cruising- 

 grounds; leaving no regrets, but all glad to get away : 

 the four months we had passed off" its shores being 

 a scries of unpleasant days, that would have dissatis- 

 fied less mercurial persons than sailors. 



On account of the prevalent westerly Avinds, we 

 were forced to run several degrees to the northward. 

 On our passage to Ilobartown we crossed the middle 

 ground (which is midway between New Zealand and 

 New Holland). This is a famous ground for sperm 

 whales, and did not, in this case, belie its reputation — 

 we seeing a school, whilst crossing it. We lowered 

 for, but scared them, much to our discontent. We 

 made no stay here, but steered directly for Van 

 Dieman's Land; and on the 21st were becalmed in 

 sight of it. The next evening we took a pilot 

 aboard, and the following morning passed the Iron 



