62 ISLAND OF CALEEMONT TONNEEEE. 



CHAPTER Y. 



FEOM CALLAO TO SOCIETY ISLANDS. 



At 5.30 P. M., July 13th, we quitted Callao, with a light 

 breeze from the southward and westward, " Yincennes," 

 " Porpoise," and " Flying-Fish," in company. 



The day following, it being Sunday, Mr. Elliot, the chap- 

 lain of the " Yincennes," came on board and performed 

 divine service. 



August 5th. During this day the heat was exceedingly 

 oppressive, although the thermometer did not at any time 

 stand higher than 80°. In the evening zodiacal lights were 

 visible until half-past eight. In the course of the night 

 many meteors were observed, some of which were remark- 

 able for their brilliancy. At meridian, the latitude was 

 18° 08' 30" south, and longitude 122° 25' 45" west. 



August 13th. At 1.30 P. M., made the Island of Ca- 

 lermont de Tonnerre, bearing west-by-south half-south, 

 distant about six miles. 



At first sight the island appeared like a forest growing in 

 the middle of the ocean, so low is the land. It is of coral* 



*The collected labors of united lithophytes raise their cellular dwellings on the 

 crnst of submarine mountains, until after thousands of years the structure reaches 

 the level of the ocean, when the animals which have formed it die, leaving a low, 

 flat coral island. How are the seeds of plants brought so immediately to these new 

 shores? — by wandering birds, or by the winds and waves of the ocean? The distance 

 from other coasts makes it difficult to determine this question ; but no sooner is the 

 newly raised islands in direct contact with the atmosphere, than there is formed on 

 its surface, in our northern countries, a soft, silky net-work, appearing to the naked 

 eye as colored spots and patches. Some of these patches are bordered by single or 

 double raised lines running round the margins ; other patches are ciossed by similar lines 

 traversing them in various directions. Gradually the light color of the patches becomes 



