VOYAGE FROM IXDIA TO SIAM AXD MALACCA. 85 



of the species living' on the fig'-trees and all having striped 

 wings. The ones 1 saw had red spots on their lower wing-s, a 

 circumstance which I have not noticed in any species known to 

 me heretofore. 



As it gTew dark I left the country where, I should have 

 liked to stay for some days, but I feared we might not get safe- 

 ly through the hig'h wa\'es. A Cicada sang in the wood in a 

 strange manner, for me it was a sad song. In the dark evening 

 I picked up a little piece of seaweed which had been thrown on 

 shore. We were luckier than we had feared to be as regards the 

 starting from shore, which we left after having explored the 

 country for one hour and a half. After one hour's journey both 

 ways, we arrived on board at 7 o'clock. 



September 1st. — Early this morning the anchors were hoist- 

 ed, but hardly had we left the land when a storm combined with 

 heavy showers of rain arose. The atmosphere was misty and 

 one of these stormy showers was so violent and sudden that we 

 almost perished. A new top sail was torn to pieces, the waves 

 at the same time were uncommonly high and the whole sea like 

 in a thunderstorm. I thanked G-od that I succeeded in arrang- 

 ing the specimens, which I had gathered on my journey. 



2. — It was still stormy, but not as bad as yesterday. AVe 

 were on the 8th degree of latitude X. and some minutes. The 

 showers were less violent and fewer in number. I watched the 

 afore -described brown seabird with the strangle cry, and I often 

 saw it fly so low that its feet touched the water. The Exocetus* 

 occurred frequently in these parts. 



3. — To-day to our great joy we saw the sun appear through 

 the clouds. The wind was deli cious and we sailed fast towards 

 the Strait of Malacca. The sea itself grew calmer, and we felt 

 great joy after all the adversity overcome. We were visited by 

 some Phaeton aetheria. We were on the 7th degree and some 

 minutes 



4. — We had fine weather and wind, but it did not continue 

 so far verj- long. Towards midday I saw the sea full of a pur- 

 plish red kind of Medusa. It was seldom bigger than a Spanish 

 dollar. The head was undivided, the arms had a pretty big base 

 surrounded by an overhanging skin; they were many times 

 longer than the whole body was wide. I have seen this Medusa 



* Pljing-fish. 



