NEW SOUTH WALES. 159 



considerable numbers, were, however, observed upon a low point 

 projecting from its southern side. 



This island is inhabited, and I have been informed that, an unsuc- 

 cessful attempt to establish a mission upon it was made by the Catho- 

 lics in 1840. 



Taking our departure from Hoorn Island, we made all sail to the 

 southward, passing about sixty miles to the westward of the Feejee 

 Group, which was to be afterwards a subject of close examination. 

 On crossing the meridian of 180° we dropped the 14th of November, 

 in order to make our time correspond to that of the Eastern Hemi- 

 sphere, to which our operations were for some months to be confined. 



On the 18th, we saw Matthews' Rock, whose height we ascertained 

 to be one thousand one hundred and eighty-six feet. It is of a conical 

 shape, about a mile in circumference, and principally composed of 

 conglomerate. A dike of basalt was observed occupying about a 

 third of the width of the island. In order to obtain specimens, a boat 

 was despatched to endeavour to effect a landing: the undertaking 

 proved difficult, but was accomplished by Dr. Fox and Midshipman 

 Henry, w T ho swam through the surf. They brought off some speci- 

 mens of porphyritic rock, and a few small crystals of selenite. 

 Patches were seen on the northern side of the island appearing as if 

 covered with sulphur. As has been so often mentioned in speaking 

 of other uninhabited islands, great numbers of birds w T ere seen 

 upon and around it. This island is in latitude 22° 27' S., longitude 

 172° 10' 33" E. 



For several days preceding the 18th, a current had been perceived 

 setting southwest ; it was tried here, and found to set in that direction 

 at the rate of three fathoms per hour. The wind began here to haul 

 to the northward and eastward. 



We had the misfortune on this day to lose one of our Six's ther- 

 mometers, after having made a cast of two hundred fathoms with it. 

 The difference between the temperature at the surface and at that 

 depth, was 14°, the former being 76°. The following day (19th), a 

 cast of six hundred fathoms was made by the Peacock. The tern 

 perature below was 50°, while that at the surface was 73°. 



On the 24th, we had a remarkably severe storm of thunder and 

 lightning; the ship appeared filled with the electric fluids; the points 

 of the conductors, the mastheads, and yardarms were illuminated with 

 Corpo Santos; and several of the officers declared that they had felt 

 electric shocks. The gale blew violently, beginning from the north- 

 west, and then shifting to the southwest. During its continuance the 

 thermometer fell seventeen degrees. 



