ARRIVAL AT HAVANA. 257 



round the sun, while the temperature of the air fell 

 three degrees. The circle of this meteor, which 

 was one degree in breadth, displayed the most beau- 

 tiful colours of the rainbow, while its interior and 

 the whole vault of the sky was azure without the 

 least haze. The sea was covered with a bluish scum, 

 which under the microscope appeared to be formed 

 of filaments, that seemed to be fragments of fuci. 

 On the 27th they passed near the island of Orchila, 

 composed of gneiss and covered with plants, and 

 towards sunset discovered the summits of the Roca 

 de Afuera, over which the clouds were accumulated. 

 Indications of stormy weather increased, the waves 

 rose, and waterspouts threatened. On the night of 

 the 2d December a curious optical phenomenon pre- 

 sented itself. The full moon was very high. On 

 its side, forty-five minutes before its passage over 

 the meridian, a great arc suddenly appeared, having 

 the prismatic colours, but of a gloomy aspect. It 

 seemed higher than the moon, had a breadth of 

 nearly two degrees, and remained stationary for 

 several minutes ; after which it gradually descended, 

 and sank below the horizon. The sailors were filled 

 with astonishment at this moving arch, which they 

 supposed to announce wind. Next night, M. Bon- 

 pland and several passengers saw, at the distance of 

 a quarter of a mile, a small flame, which ran on the 

 surface of the sea towards the south-west, and illu- 

 minated the atmosphere. On the 4th and 6th they 

 encountered rough weather, with heavy rain, ac- 

 companied by thunder, and were in considerable 

 danger on the bank of Vibora. At length, on the 

 19th, they anchored in the port of Havana, after a 

 boisterous passage of twenty-five days. 



Cuba is the largest* of the West India islands, and 

 on account of its great fertility, its naval establish- 

 ments, the nature of its population — of which three- 

 fifths are composed of freemen, — and its geographi- 

 cal position, is of great political importance. Of all 

 Y2 



