224: NORTHWEST COAST OF AMERICA. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



NORTHWEST COAST OF AMERICA. 



HAVING completed our surveying and scientific duties at 

 the Sandwich Islands, oa the morning of the 5th of April we 

 sailed for the northwest coast of America. As light winds 

 prevailed during this and the following day we did not make 

 much progress on our course. 



On the evening of the 7th, we passed the Island of Kauie. 

 This is another of the Sandwich Islands ; it is about forty 

 miles in length and twenty-three in breath. The population 

 is estimated at 12,000. Its valleys are fertile, and produce 

 sugar-cane, yams, and taro. 



On the 19th, we experienced a great change in the weather ; 

 the wind shifted from the southward and eastward to the 

 northwarcj, and we had some violent squalls, which compelled 

 us to reduce sail to reefed-topsails. In a few minutes after 

 the wind shifted, there was a very sensible change in the 

 temperature, and we found it necessary to put on our woolen 

 clothing to keep comfortable. At noon our latitude was 

 33 12' 00" north, longitude 152 28' 00" west. 



During the 20th, 21st, and 23d, we must have sailed 

 through hundreds of acres covered with the Villula, or little 

 man-of-war, as they are commonly called by sailors, from their 

 resemblance to a vessel under canvas. They all had their 

 little sails expanded, and were steering in the same direction 

 as our ship. Their sail is a thin, semi-transparent membrane, 



