28 



CHAPTER II. 



Enter the tropics — Flying fish — Luminosity of the ocean — 

 Magnificent scene — Phosphoric Hght — Interesting facts 

 in elucidation of that phenomenon — Albicores and Bo- 

 nitos — A colossal whale — Sea birds — Gigantic species of 

 albatross — Description of those birds — Their manner of 

 flight. 



On the 31st of May we lost the north-east trade, 

 in 8° 40' north, and longitude 23'^ west, after 

 which we experienced variable winds with tor- 

 rents of rain, until the 4th of June, when we 

 had the south-east trade in latitude 4^ 38' north, 

 and longitude 22° 49' west, and crossed the 

 equator early on the morning of the 7th, in 

 longitude 27° 5' west, being altogether only 

 thirty-two days from Plymouth, including our 

 delay at St. Jago. 



On entering the tropics many animate ob- 

 jects excite attention, among others the flying- 



