258 VOYAGE IN SEARCiI 



The mercury in the barometer did not rife 

 higher than 28 inches 2t_ lines, and it did not 

 tall lower than 28 inches It^t lines. 



Notvvithllanding the exceflive heat that we 

 experienced on the coaft, the thermometer, 

 v.hich was carried thither, did not (land at more 

 than 2:;"', and on board it never rofe higher 

 than 2i'\ 



The tides were perceptible at our anchoring- 

 itation only once a day. It was high water at 

 the full and change of the moon, at half pad 

 ]i:: o'clock in the afta'noon, and the perpen- 

 dicular rife of the fea was fixtcen decimeters. 



During our fray at New Caledonia we were 

 unable to obtain any information refpecling the 

 fate of the unfortunate navigators who were the 

 particular object of our refearches. It is not, 

 however, without the fphere of probability to 

 imagine that this dangerous and almofi: inac- 

 ceiiible fnore has been fatal to them. It is 

 well known that La Peroufe was to explore its 

 V, clicrn coafi, and it cannot but excite horror 

 in the fcciing mind to reflect on the deftiny re- 

 icrvcd for thofe haplefs voyagers that may be 

 compelled by fiiij>wreck to take refuge among 

 the cannibals by whom it is inhabited. 



(^TT^pXFT? 



