THE INDIAN OCEAN. 343 



tion, some years ago, in their form, bringing them 

 nearer to the model of an European ship, was so 

 severely reprehended in high quarters, that it was 

 found prudent to desist from the indiscreet improve- 

 ment. At the same time, it must be confessed, 

 that compared with the vessels of their immediate 

 neighbours, the junk, as a commercial vessel, has i* 

 vast superiority ; and in the seas which they navi- 

 gate, so regular are the monsoons, that they get on 

 tolerably well. 



Occasionally, however, they must encounter those 

 terrific tempests called typhoons, which are peculiar 

 to these seas, and which, with the hurricanes of the 

 opposite hemisphere, are the most furious storms 



Ship under bare Poles. 



that blow. They rise with fearful rapidity, often 

 coming on suddenly from a calm ; and before the 



