ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 335 



more in consequence of the fatigue the men had undergone, than 

 from any disease. 



On the 29th, they experienced strong gales from the northwest, 

 which continued to increase until midnight, after which the weather 

 moderated. The ship during this gale was in latitude 61° 20' S., 

 and longitude 154° 09' E. This gale is remarkable, in consequence 

 of its blowing in a contrary direction to that which the Vincennes 

 experienced on the same day ; while the former had it from the north- 

 west, the latter had it from southeast. Their distance apart was four 

 hundred and fifty miles, in a northeast direction. 



On the 1st of February the weather was stormy until towards 

 evening, when it moderated and cleared off, with the wind to the 

 northwest, and gave them a view of the aurora australis lighting up 

 the southern portion of the horizon. Rays were thrown out in 

 different directions, some reaching an altitude of 30°, others of 40°, 

 whilst others again almost spanned the heavens. 



On the 2d, they had another display of the aurora, but contrary to 

 that of the previous day, it was first seen at an altitude of 70°, 

 diverging towards the horizon, from east-southeast to the west-south- 

 west-by-south, before it disappeared. The point from which the 

 rays diverged reached the zenith. 



On the 4th they made Macquarie Island, and shortly after passing 

 it, experienced another gale from northwest to southwest, which 

 caused them much anxiety for their rudder, which thus far had 

 answered well, although great attention was necessary to prevent 

 strain upon it. Strong gales yet continued. On the 5th, they had a 

 faint display of the aurora. 



On the 7th of February, the weather had become less boisterous, 

 and having reached latitude 49° S., longitude 155° 23' E., the aurora 

 australis again appeared. It was first seen in the north, and gradually 

 spread its coruscations over the whole heavens ; the rays and beams 

 of light radiating from nearly all points of the horizon to the zenith, 

 where their distinctive outlines were lost in a bright glow of light, 

 which was encircled by successive flashes, resembling those of heat 

 lightning on a sultry summer night ; these formed a luminous arc in 

 the southern sky, about 20° in altitude, from the upper part of which, 

 rays were continually flashing towards the zenith ; light showers of 

 rain finally shut it out from view. On the same night, between one 

 and three, the aurora burst out from the southwestern horizon, 

 streaming up and concentrating in the zenith, and attended with 

 vol. 11. 97 



