April 1830. 



BAROMETER-^EXCUK SIGNS. 



were plentiful, and easily obtained. Wild-fowl were numerous, 

 and our people brought on board a serviceable supply, enough 

 for all the sick, and for most of those who were in health. 



" 3d and 4th. Still very fine weather, although the baro- 

 meter and sympiesometer were lower than I had yet seen 

 them in this country. Our Fuegians were becoming very 

 cheerful, and apparently contented. We gave them as much 

 fresh provision (birds and fish) as we could obtain with guns 

 and lines, and hitherto they had fared very well. All that 

 was shot went to one stock, from which it was divided in 

 rotation to the messes, the sick being first provided for, and 

 then the Fuegians. 



" 5th and 6th. Two more fine days, with a very low glass, 

 shook my faith in the certainty of the barometer and sym- 

 piesometer.* During those days, the wind had been light 

 from N.N.W., and twice before I had known these instruments 

 to be similarly aifected during exactly similar wind and wea- 

 ther : once at Port Desire, on the coast of Patagonia ; and 

 once at Port Gallant, while I was in the Otway Water. 



" The master went towards the head of Nassau Bay, and Mr. 

 Stokes set out in the opposite direction. Mr. Murray had one 

 of our best chronometers, kept in a box, well packed in wool, 

 but exposed to the temperature of the air. Before going away 

 and after returning, it was kept and rated in the same box on 

 deck, because the variations of temperature in the open air of 

 this climate are small ; much less than a chronometer would 

 experience if alternating between a warm cabin and a cold 

 boat. I was sadly grieved at finding that some Fuegians who 

 arrived were not of the same tribe as our captives, nor even 

 spoke the same language. On the contrary, much enmity 

 appeared to exist between them ; though their colour, fea- 

 tures, and habits were similar. At first, 'York' and 'Boat' 

 would not go near them ; but afterwards took delight in 

 trying to cheat them out of the things they offered to bar- 

 ter ; and mocked their way of speaking and laughing ; point- 



* The mercury In the barometer fell to 28,94, and the oil in the sym- 

 piesometer to 28,52 ; the thermometer ranging froni 40° to 4S° (Faht.) 



