22 MEMOIR OF 



instruments ; bid adieu to his relations at Cerilly, 

 and, smothering that affection which had so over- 

 whelmingly affected him, he proceeded to Havre. 

 The Expedition sailed on the J9th October 1800; 

 he, with most of the Savants, being on board Le 

 Geographe. 



Thougli several campaigns had familiarized M. 

 Peron with privation, yet, on board of ship, he found 

 himself more put about than he anticipated. Having 

 arrived after all the others were accommodated, 

 there was but a pitiful corner left for him ; however, in 

 the midst of agitation and bustle, he retained all his 

 composure and self-possession, and did not lose a 

 moment. The very day he went on board he com- 

 menced his meteorological observations, which he 

 constantly repeated every six hours, and which 

 were never interrupted during the whole course of 

 the voyage. Shortly after sailing, he made some 

 important experiments regarding the temperature of 

 the water of the ocean, which demonstrated it was 

 colder in proportion as the depth increased. On 

 reaching the Equator, the whole crew were greatly 

 astonished by an appearance which presented 'itself. 

 One night, when the heavens were very dark and 

 cloudy, a bright band, as of phosphorus, covered 

 the water at the horizon ; presently the ocean seemed 

 in a flame, and sparks of fire appeared to rise from 

 its surface. Our voyagers had often witnessed the 

 phosphorescence of the sea, but they had not seen 

 the aurora borealis, for which they took it ; but, on 

 advancing, they discovered that this extraordinary 



