36 NlGllT SCENE. 



nothing could be compared to tlie transparency and 

 serenity of the African sky. They were struck with the 

 innumerable quantity of falling stars, which appeared at 

 every instant. The farther progress they made towards 

 the south, the more frequent was this phenomenon, espe- 

 cially near the Canaries. Forty leagues east of the 

 island of Madeira a swallow perched on the topsail yard. 

 It was so fatigued that it suffered itself to be caught by 

 the hand. 



The Pizarro had orders to touch at the isle of Lance- 

 rota, one of the seven great Canary Islands ; and at five 

 in the afternoon of the 16th of June, that island appeared 

 so distinctlv in view that Humboldt was able to take the 

 angle of altitude of a conic mountain, which towered 

 majestically over the other summits. 



The current drew them toward the coast more rapidly 

 than they wished. As they advanced, they discovered 

 at first the island of Forteventura, famous for its nume- 

 rous camels; and a short time after saw the island of 

 Lobos in the channel which separated Forteventura 

 from Lancerota. They spent part of the night on deck. 

 The moon illumined the volcanic summits of Lancerota, 

 the flanks of which, covered with ashes, reflected a silver 

 light. Antares threw out its resplendent rays near the 

 lunar disk, which was but a few degrees above the 

 horizon. The night was beautifully serene and cool. 

 The phosphorescence of the ocean seemed to augment 

 the mass of light diffused through the air. After mid- 

 night, great black clouds rising behind the volcano 

 shrouded at intervals the moon, and the beautiful con- 

 stellation of the Scorpion. They beheld lights carried 

 to and fro on shore, which were probably those of fish- 



