XXXIV INTRODUCTION. 



ones. The degree of moisture -816. We had generally a cloudy and 

 overcast sky, with very moderate winds. 



NEW ZEALAND. The observations at Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 

 were during the months of February and March, 1840. The varia- 

 tions of the mean daily temperature are shown on the diagram, Plate 

 XII., page 330. The climate of New Zealand, although changeable, is 

 more equable than that of New Holland. The mean temperature was 

 61-3, the maximum 73, minimum 52. The prevailing winds are 

 from the southeast and west; the former are attended with rain. 

 May and June are the rainy months. There is usually a difference 

 of 20 between the temperature of the day and night. The degree of 

 moisture '772. The mean standing of the barometer was found to be 

 30-004 inches, and the temperature of the water 66-37. The climate 

 of New Zealand is thought to be better adapted to the European con- 

 stitution than that of New Holland. Droughts are never felt in any 

 excess. These islands are in the track of the severe hurricanes, which 

 occasionally pass over them, particularly the northern part near the 

 Bay of Islands. One of these occurred during our stay ; it happened 

 on the 29th of February and 1st of March, 1840. For the development 

 of this gale I am indebted to the inquiries of several gentlemen of the 

 Expedition, who were at the Bay of Islands when it occurred, and to 

 the kindness of the masters of the vessels who were caught in it. We 

 have five positions where observations were made, three to the north, 

 and two to the south of its track, viz. : at the Bay of Islands, on 

 board the Brigs Victoria and Camden, H. B. M. Ship Herald, lying 

 in the River Thames, and the Flying-Fish, one of our squadron; 

 their relative position will be better pointed out by their latitudes and 

 longitudes, which were as follows, viz. : 



Camden, ... 31 S. 174 07' E. 



Victoria, 33 30' S. 171 50' E. 



Bay of Islands, 35 17' S. 174 07' E. 



H. B. M. Ship Herald, ... 36 49' S. 174 43' E. 



Flying-Fish, 40 30' S. 178 30' E. 



From these positions we ascertain that the storm had a diameter 

 of five hundred miles, from the latitude of 31 to 40 30' south. 

 We also observe that its track was south-southwest, veering as it 

 progressed, to southwest, and that its velocity was equal to twenty 

 miles per hour. Its centre passed just to the southward of the Bay 

 of Islands, at which place there was a calm of ten minutes, when 

 the storm recommenced with equal violence from the opposite quarter ; 



