316 ATTACK OF MOSQUITOES. [1845. 



Hoa-pin-san to secure a landing for the meridian dis- 

 tance, but here as in other positions near the Northern 

 Tropic, the sun at this period being nearly vertical at 

 noon compelled us to have recourse to star observations 

 for Latitude. Towards sunset the ship found anchorage 

 on a bank to the eastward of Pinnacle Island, and thus 

 prevented her being drifted beyond our sight before the 

 morning. Had such an event occurred, it would have 

 placed us in rather an awkward dilemma, as the strong 

 eastern currents, attended with very light airs, would 

 have prevented her recovering her ground, and our eatables 

 were already reduced to a low ebb, although most delicious 

 water abounded. Every luxury they say has its evil, and 

 not long after sunset we had reason to repent of the 

 proximity of this same luxury. Scarcely had we com- 

 menced with the stars than the mosquitoes attracted by 

 our lamps, attacked us in the most merciless manner. A 

 determined action, with these pests, was vigorously 

 maintained for nearly half an hour, at the expiration of 

 which period, the exclamation of my assistant and boat's 

 crew, added to some very piguante hints, that we had 

 enough to satisfy any opponent as to the actual Latitude 

 of the position (differing merely two seconds north and 

 south), induced me to withdraw my forces to the salt water, 

 leaving the instruments until the more powerful sun dis- 

 persed our enemies. Hauling off to an anchorage about 

 100 yards from our position, we obtained a release from 

 further punishment, and enjoyed tolerable repose. Having 

 embarked our instruments in the morning, and obtained 

 another station on the Pinnacle Island, we rejoined the 

 ship. 



