12; 
AT SEA. 
accordingly made his appearance on the deck, to the great satis- 
faction of the sailors, who soon cut him in pieces : he was a young 
one, only six feet in length, of the species Carcharias. Two of 
the sucking-fish were drawn up sticking to him. To complete 
our icthiological amusements for the day, we soon afterwards 
observed a whale, majestically proceeding on his journey to the 
coast of Africa. I could have much wished to have seen him 
nearer ; but he was astern, and we soon lost sight of him. The wea^ 
ther continues pleasant : we do not however make much way. 
July 56.— We yesterday passed the Line, about eight o'clock in 
the morning ; being Sunday, it was not until this day that, accord- 
ing to immemorial custom, those who had not crossed before were 
shaved and ducked. The Captain s passengers were all exempted ; 
the midshipmen and my servant were most mercifully dealt with. 
The weather is fine ; and although the sun shines with unclouded 
splendour, the heat is not oppressive. 
August 10.— For this last fortnight we have had very pleasant 
weather, with contrary winds, and calms, which have driven us 
to the eastward, and suffered us to make but little southing; instead, 
therefore, of being at St. Helena, as we had reason to hope, we are 
only in lat. south 6°. The trade wind has however at last found us; 
and we are speeding merrily. We sailed over the spot where 
Messrs. Laurie and Whittle have been pleased to place the island 
of Amiabon. The manner in which charts are published in 
England is a disgrace to a mercantile nation. These three last days 
the sea has changed from the beautiful blue of the unfathomable 
ocean to a dark green. This is considered a sign of soundings ; but 
with 12,0 fathoms we have not been able to find a bottom. 
