62 EXTENSIVE FROTH-LINE : 



Rotch Island, discovered by Capt. Clerk, of the 

 John Palmer, in 1 826, and laid down by Krusen- 

 stern, in lat. 2 30' S., long. 176 10' E. A current, 

 setting strongly to the N. W., caused us to pass 

 its shores with a rapidity, by no means consistent 

 with the light airs, approaching to a calm, which 

 prevailed at the time. 



In lat. 2 53' S., long. 174 55' E., a remarkable 

 white line was observed on the surface of the 

 ocean, about two miles a-head of the ship, and 

 bearing the appearance of a low surf, breaking 

 on a sand-bank, or reef. The ship's course was 

 altered, until a boat, lowered to ascertain the true 

 character of the water, displayed a signal that no 

 danger was to be apprehended, when we resumed 

 our course, and soon after passed through the ob- 

 ject of alarm. It proved to be an undulated line 

 of froth) or scum, several yards in width, extend- 

 ing on either side as far as was visible with the 

 naked eye, and accompanied by a heterogeneous 

 assemblage of floating mollusks, small fish, crabs, 

 and other marine animals, drift-wood, and oceanic 

 birds. The birds formed the most mysterious 

 feature of the phenomenon : they were chiefly 

 of the noddy and petrel families; and whilst 

 some of them appeared but recently dead, others 

 lay in a torpid and helpless state on the surface 



