THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. 27 



lineata) was picked up on deck, having probably come in on 

 the log-line. Later in the day two swallows were captured, 

 one of which revived temporarily on being fed with flies, but 

 died a few hours after. On the 20th we fell in with a 

 pleasant breeze, which lasted for some days. On the 21st we 

 saw the sun set in the northern hemisphere, and in the even- 

 ing a most brilliant meteor, so closely resembling a rocket 

 bursting, as to be at first supposed to be a signal from some 

 vessel, was observed by a party of us who were sitting on 

 deck enjoying the moonlight. The following morning we 

 crossed the line, but the event was not celebrated by any 

 time-honoured ceremonies— I cannot say to my disappoint- 

 ment ; and instead of an orthodox dead calm, we had a most 

 refreshing breeze, which carried us well on our way. 



On the 23d the breeze still continued. Large flocks of 

 flying-fish were observed, and a petrel of a uniform sooty 

 colour, and larger than the Mother Carey's chicken, appeared 

 near the ship. I had also my first sight of the Portuguese 

 man-of-war {Physalia), several large and exquisitely-tinted 

 specimens, which I attempted unsuccessfully to capture, pass- 

 ing close to us. Their floats were provided with a beautiful 

 ribbed purple margin. During the afternoon a large shark 

 was seen in our vicinity, and some flocks of birds were 

 descried in the distance. Next day, the breeze continuing 

 steadily to freshen, the screw was got up and sail made. This 

 accomplished, we went along at a capital rate, over a sea the 

 splendour of the blue of which only those who have passed 

 through the tropics can fully understand ; while the stormy 

 petrels, which certainly, according to my experience, are as 

 commonly to be seen in fine as in bad weather, followed in 

 our wake, flying over the white-crested waves. On the 25th 

 a tropic bird {Phaethon) was seen, but nothing else worthy of 



