1832. FEVERS — DUST MASSEy's LEADS. 55 



assertion is made. Wild guinea-fowls are found in flocks, 

 and there are wild-cats in the unfrequented parts of the 

 island; but if induced to take a gun in pursuit of the guinea- 

 fowls, I would advise a stranger not to overheat himself, or 

 sleep on shore at night ; for fatal fevers have been contracted 

 by Europeans, who were unguarded as to their health, while 

 passing a few days in this hot climate, after being for some 

 time accustomed to the cold weather of a high northern latitude. 



Except during the rainy season, the wind is always north- 

 easterly, and then the sky is clear and the sun very powerful ; 

 but a dry haze hangs over the island in a peculiar manner, 

 and a quantity of fine dust, quite an impalpable powder, fre- 

 quently settles on every exposed surface, even on the sails 

 and rigging of a vessel, when passing near the islands. 



On the 8th of February our instruments were re-embarked, 

 and, after swinging the ship to ascertain the amount of local 

 attraction, we weighed anchor and sailed. By the compass 

 fixed upon a stanchion in front of the poop, not twenty minutes 

 difference of bearing could be detected, in any position of the 

 vessel : the object observed being the highest point of a sharp 

 peak, distant eleven miles. 



On the 10th we spoke the Lyra packet, going from England 

 to Rio de Janeiro, and received a box from her, containing 

 six of Massey's sounding-leads, those excellent contrivances 

 which we frequently found so useful. These machines, as 

 formerly made, did not answer for a much greater depth than 

 one hundred fathoms ; because their hollow cylinder yielded 

 to the pressure of the water : but Mr. Massey has since 

 remedied that defect in their construction. 



On the 13th a very confused swell seemed to presage a 

 change of weather. Hitherto the wind had been steady from 

 the north-east, and the sky clear ; but on this day large soft 

 clouds, light variable breezes, rain, and sometimes a short 

 calm, showed us that had passed the limits of the north- 

 east trade wind. 14th. Similar weather, with a good deal of 

 rain, but still breeze enough to keep us moving on our course. 

 On the 15th, the wind was steady from east south-east. 



