22 DEPARTURE FROM CORT7NNA. 



CHAPTER II. 



Voyage from Corunna to Teneriffe. 



Departure from Corunna Currents of the Atlantic Ocean Marine Ani- 

 mals Falling Stars Swallows Canary Islands^Lanceroia Fucus 

 vitifolius Causes of the Green Colour of Plants La Graciosa 

 Stratified Basalt alternating with Marl Hyalite Quartz Sand- 

 Remarks on the Distance at which Mountains are visible at Sea, and 

 the Causes by which it is modified Landing at Teneriffe. 



THE wind having come round to the north-east, 

 the Pizarro set sail on the afternoon of the 5th of 

 June, 1799, and after working out of the narrow pas- 

 sage passed the Tower of Hercules, or lighthouse 

 of Corunna, at half-past six. Towards evening the 

 wind increased, and the sea ran high. They directed 

 their course to the north-west, for the purpose of 

 avoiding the English frigates which were cruising 

 off the coast, and about nine spied the fire of a fish- 

 ing-hut at Lisarga, which was the last object they 

 beheld in the west of Europe. As they advanced, 

 the light mingled itself with the stars which rose on 

 the horizon. " Our eyes," says Humboldt, " re- 

 mained involuntarily fixed upon it. Such impres- 

 sions do not fade from the memory of those who 

 have undertaken long voyages at an age when the 

 emotions of the heart are in full force. How many 

 recollections are awakened in the imagination by a 

 luminous point which in the middle of a dark night, 

 appearing at intervals above the agitated waves, 

 marks the shore of one's native land !" 



They were obliged to run under courses, and pro- 

 ceeded at the rate of ten knots, although the vessel 

 was not a fast sailer. At six in the morning she 

 rolled so much that the fore topgallant-mast was 

 carried away. On the 7th they were in the latitude 



