188 JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE FROM RIO DE 
Species Algarum) ; several Albatrosses (Diomedea exulans) 
were also seen. Lat. 39° 20', Long. 54° 13'. 
On the 27th, " Moderate breezes from NE., with clear 
weather. Passed considerable quantities of Fucus gigan- 
teus *. At 10 A. M. temperature of the air 58°, ocean 52°, 
hygrometer 15°. 5, barometer 28°. 27. Evening, strong- 
breeze. 
" Here several currents exist ; for we frequently observed 
the sea, within a limited distance, as smooth as a river, 
with a rippling on the surface. Temperature of the air at 
10 p. M. 58°, humidity 8°. 5. Lat. by observations at noon 
41° 10' S., Long, by chronometers, 56° 17' W., and by 
dead reckoning 56° 24'.'' 
" 28th. Strong westerly breeze, with a clear and cloud- 
less sky. The surface of the sea presents the same appear- 
ance as yesterday ; and, indeed, the existence of a current 
from the southward is evinced, 1st, By the daily and pro- 
gressive difference of longitude, as afforded by the daily 
range and chronometers ; ^d, By the sudden diminution in 
the temperature of the water, being no less than 23° , and, 
lastly, By the very great quantities of floating Fucus gi~ 
ganteus, which vegetates only in high southern latitudes. 
The influence of the current is not felt beyond the parallel 
of 40° S,, for it is there checked in its progress by the coast 
of Paraguay extending NW. and SE., as well as by an 
opposite current flowing from the entrance to the Kio de 
la Plata. A new impulse is thus communicated, which will 
occasion the current to take a westerly direction. 
" Temperature of the ocean 53°, air 59°, hygrometer 
14° 5. A great many moths {Phal(2na) were driven on 
board during the day. Wind WSW., strong. Long, by 
chronometers 58° 20', and by dead reckoning 59° 7'; Lat. by 
* The terminal part of tlie frond of this, Fucus appears to be invariably 
confluent. 
