MARCH.] 
VOYAGE TO ENGLAND. 
503 
helm, I think he might have read large print. We 
took up a little of it, which, after having examined 
by a magnifying glass, we concluded was the spawn 
of some fish. We observed many white spots in it, 
which appeared to be the embryo of fishes. This 
matter does not shine except when agitated by the 
breaking of a wave, or the motion of a ship forced 
against it. On putting some of it into our hands, it lost 
the luminous appearance, but when held up, this was 
restored. 
On the 1 6th, during the night, we crossed the line 
with light winds attended with squalls, and the swell soon 
began to come from the N.E. Our cabin, which had 
lately been painted of a French grey colour, became 
black from the influence of the heat upon the cargo, 
especially the sugar. Most of us had what is called 
the prickly heat, or rash, resembling measles, all over 
our skin, which, though not painful, produced a con- 
stant desire to rub it. On the 18th we were much 
amused by several beautiful dolphins, following and 
playing about the ship. They appeared in the wa- 
ter of a verdigris green, and sometimes a beautiful 
brown colour. After several unsuccessful throws of 
the harpoon, the captain at length struck it into one, 
and brought it on deck, to the no small gratification of 
such of us as had not seen one before. We all pro- 
nounced it a most compleat beauty, not inferior to any 
creature on land, not excluding the golden pheasant, or 
the bird of paradise. The back was dark green, mix- 
