234 PROFESSOR SMITH'S JOURNAL. 



can be renewed. I had reckoned for certain on being 

 able to fill up several deficiences in the observations that 

 have been made on these islands. For the last few days 

 we have seen but little that could be considered as re- 

 markable on the ocean. A number of porpoises tumbling 

 about the vessel ; two large birds, the species of which, 

 at the distance we observed them yesterday, could not be 

 determined ; some Medusae, probably Medusa peUucida, 

 but of which we have not been able to catch any, were 

 all of the animal creation we got sight of. On board the 

 Congo I saw a small whale, also a small turtle covered 

 with two or three species of Lepas, which we dissected, 

 and a small species of Cancer, probably the Cancer fiilgens 

 of Sir Joseph Banks. 



On the 3d, at day-break, the majestic ridge of rock 

 that skirts the shores of Palma was discovered. We passed 

 its western side, at a distance of from two to three leagues 

 from Punte-de-fuen-zabiente. The two highest summits, 

 particularly that of Roche de la Mustachos, were covered 

 with snow, and irradiated by the reflected beams of the sun 

 a glittering light from the upper region of the air. In the 

 course of the afternoon we came in sight of Tino, though 

 it was inveloped in a dense foggy air. I considered its 

 greatest height to be a little more than 4000 feet. We had 

 not the pleasure of seeing the Peak of Teneriffe again. 

 The weather is now very agreeable ; the temperature 

 between 15° and 20° of Reaumur. We have a favourable 

 wind, which, however, has not yet changed to the tro- 

 pical or trade Avind, but is more inclined to the N.E. 

 The night was star-light. Galwey and myself amused 



