XXX - 1V INTRODUCTION. 



ones. The degree of moisture -816. We had generally a cloudy and 

 overcast skv, with very moderate winds. 



HKW ZBALAHD. The observations at Bay of Islands, New Zealand. 

 were during the months of February and March, 1840. The- varia- 

 tions of the mean daily temperature are shown on the diagram, Plate 

 XII., page 830. The climate of New Zealand, although changeable, is 

 more equable than that of New Holland. The mean temperature was 

 61-3, the maximum 73, minimum 52. The prevailin.tr winds are 

 from the southeast and west; the former are attended with rain. 

 May and June are the rainy months. There is usually a dillerence 

 of 20 between the temperature of the day and night. The deirree of 

 moisture '772. The mean standing of the barometer was found to he 

 80*004 inches, and the temperature of the water G6 - 37. The climate 

 of New Zealand is thought to be better adapted to the European con- 

 stitution than that of New Holland. Droughts are never felt in any 

 sg. These islands are in the track of the severe hurricanes, whieli 

 occasionally pass over them, particularly the northern part near the 

 Bay of Islands. One of these occurred during our stay; it happened 

 on the 29th of February and 1st of March, 1840. For the development 

 of this gale I am indebted to the inquiries of several gentlemen of the 

 Kxpedition, who were at the Bay of Islands when it occurred, and to 

 tin- kindness of the masters of the ves-els who wore caught in it. AVe 

 ha\e live positions where observations were made, three to the north. 

 and two to the south of its track, viz.: at the Hay of Islands, on 

 Koard the Brigs Victoria and Camden, H. B. M. Ship Herald, lying 

 in the Hiver Thames, and the Flying-Fish, one of our squadron; 

 their relative position will be better pointed out by their latitudes and 

 longitudes, which were as follows, viz. : 



Camdcn, ...... 31 S. 174 07' E. 



Victoria, . . . . 33 30' g. 171 . r ><>' K. 



Bay of Island . . . 35 17' 8. 174 07 K. 



II . H. M. Ship Herald, . . . M 4!)' 8. 174 4:i K. 



I" :;ic S. 17s:;n K. 





From these positions we ascertain that the storm had a diameter 

 of live hundred miles, from the latitude of 31 to 40 30' south. 

 We also observe that its track was south-southwest, veering a< it 

 pmgiv-^ed. to soiith\\e>t. and that its velocity was equal to twentv 

 miles |M-r hour. It> centre pa-sed just to the southward of the Bay 

 of I<l;ni(N. at which place tin-re was a calm of ten minutes, when 

 tln-Monn recommenced with equal violence from the opposite quarter; 



