Squadron sails from 

 Madeira. 



PASSAGE FROM MADEIRA 



The Maria Rock. 



meter was found to be 16 54' 11" W. Latitude 

 by observation, 32 38' 11" N. 



The markets are well supplied with meat, poul- 

 try, fish, and all kinds of vegetables. 



The bat noticed by Bowdich was the only one of 

 the mammalia seen in a wild state. Of birds, two 

 species of hawks, the linnet, the canary, the gold- 

 finch, the yellow wagtail, and the swift, were all 

 that were seen. Sea-fish are abundant; but not a 

 single trace of a fresh-water fish was seen or found 

 in the streams. Many specimens of Crustacea, 

 insects, and mollusca were added to our collec- 

 tions. 



The ride to the Quinta of Mr. Bean at Comancha 

 is one of the prettiest the island affords. It is 

 towards the east end, and some eight or ten miles 

 from the town of Funchal. For variety of scenery 

 and the beauty of its grounds it is not exceeded by 

 any on the island, and it gives a good idea of the 

 effect of English taste when applied to the scenery 

 and fine climate of Madeira. The road to it is 

 the same that has been before described, passing 

 through the gorges and around the different spurs, 

 which gives great variety to it, and presents many 

 fine views. Having a note of introduction from 

 our consul, we stopped at Mr. Bean's gate, and sent 

 the servant in, who returned, informing us that 

 Mr. Bean was not at home, but a kind invitation 

 to enter was sent to us from his lady. We did so, 



riding through hedges of fuchsias and myrtles 

 twelve feet high, when a beautiful little cottage on 

 a small level spot burst suddenly upon our view, 

 with its verandahs embosomed in creeping vines ; 

 and from the notes of vai'ious kinds of birds, one 

 could almost have fancied oneself in an aviary. 

 Several small lakes were partially seen, their 

 dimensions being ingeniously hid from view. On 

 one of them was seen a tiny fleet safely moored, on 

 another waterfalls, &c. ; the banks of others were 

 surrounded with aquatic plants, among which was 

 the calla Ethiopica in full bloom. Then again we 

 were struck with the dahlias, geraniums, roses, 

 and jasmines, and the varieties of trees and shrubs 

 from the tropics, besides willows, oaks, elms, &c., 

 that were familiar to us. A view through the 

 trees down the gorge to the distant ocean was 

 beautiful, bringing before us all the bold scenery 

 of Madeira: truly it was an enchanting spot. The 

 grounds are extensive, and laid out with great 

 taste, and each spot appeared in keeping with the 

 whole. The hill behind the house was found by 

 the sympiesometer to be two thousand and ninety- 

 eight feet above the level of the sea. 



After a stay of a week, we had made all our 

 repairs and arrangements which were necessary 

 in consequence of our defective outfits, recruited 

 the officers and men, and prepared for our de- 

 parture. 



CHAPTER II. 

 CAPE DE VERDES RIO DE JANEIRO. 



SQUADRON SAILS FROM MADEIRA CURRENTS SEARCH FOR SHOALS AND VIGIAS ARRIVAL AT ST. JAGO APPEAR- 

 ANCE OF THE ISLAND TOWN OF PORTO PRAYA ITS POPULATION LANGUAGE VISIT TO THE GOVERNOR 

 PUBLIC FOUNTAIN MARKET DRILL OF RECRUITS DROUGHTS CLIMATE SLAVES DRESS DEPARTURE FROM 

 PORTO PRAYA FURTHER SEARCH FOR SHOALS ARRIVAL AT RIO JANEIRO. 



ON the 25th of September, having completed all 

 that was deemed necessary, we sailed from Ma- 

 deira, and stood to the southward, intending to pass 

 over the localities where shoals were supposed to 

 exist. 



After passing the Canary Islands, we experienced 

 a current setting north-east by east, of about one- 

 fourth of a mUe an hour, until we reached the 

 latitude of Bonavista, one of the Cape de Verde 

 Islands. This somewhat surprised me, for I had 

 formed the idea that the set of the current should 

 have been in the direction of our course ; but 

 many careful observations with the current-log, 

 and the difference between our astronomical 

 observations and dead reckoning, gave the same 

 results. 



It was my intention on leaving the United States 

 to pass from Madeira through the Sargasso Sea, in 

 order to ascertain something definite in relation to 

 this unexplored and interesting locality, and to gain 

 some information relative to the fucus natans, or 

 gulf-weed, the origin of which has remained so long 

 in doubt. Deep soundings in this part of the ocean 

 I deemed would be very interesting, and afford an 

 opportunity of settling the origin of this plant, which 

 is spread over the whole ocean; but my time did 



not permit me to make this deviation from our 

 direct course, and I hoped on my return to have 

 ample leisure for its exploration. 



On the 29th of September we passed into dis- 

 coloured water, as green in appearance as that of 

 fifty fathoms' depth. On entering it, the thermo- 

 meter fell one and a half to two degrees. The 

 distance run in it was about four hundred and fifty 

 miles. Repeated casts of the deep sea lead were 

 had in from two to three hundred fathoms, but no 

 bottom found. The water was particularly exa- 

 mined for animalcuhc, but none were detected. On 

 leaving it, a rise of temperature took place of two 

 degrees ; and much phosphorescence was seen when 

 we had passed out of it. 



The first shoal searched for was the Maria Rock, 

 said to be in latitude 19 45' N., and longitude 

 20 50' W. In its neighbourhood our position was 

 carefully ascertained. The vessels were then spread 

 in open order, and a course sailed to pass directly 

 over the spot. The surface of the ocean visible 

 was not less than twenty miles in latitude, with 

 every opportunity which clear weather could afford. 

 Good look-outs were kept at the mast-head, and 

 there was a sufficient swell to cause breakers on 

 any shoal within fifteen feet of the surface. We 



