CO UBS E SHAPED FOR ASCENSION. 
375 
taken in all the great oceans and channels of import- 
ance in onr track, in depths averaging from 1000 to 
4000 fathoms. The soundings and temperatures 
have supplied the material information, by which 
oceanic sections have been constructed, showing for- 
mation of the bottom, the depth, variation in the 
temperatures, the currents, and specific gravity, &c., 
in all the great seas sailed over. 
This, together with the abundance of material 
collected in the department of natural history and 
other scientific branches, will make this voyage 
one of the most important that has ever taken 
place. 
On March 14th, in latitude 35° 45' south, we 
trawled in 1400 fathoms, and obtained a few speci- 
mens at its conclusion, being about 300 miles from 
Tristan d’Acunha. Course was altered, and we stood 
north for Ascension Island, distant 1700 miles. 
Having a favourable breeze, we daily made good pro- 
gress. On March 18th we sounded in 1890 fathoms, 
temperature 36*8°, and reached the south-east trades, 
which blew with unbroken regularity ; not even for- 
saking us as we occasionally stopped to sound and 
trawl. However, as we ran farther north, the breeze 
got lighter, and each day saw the barometer rising, 
and clear, bright weather greeted us as we entered 
and passed through the tropical regions. We sounded 
every 200 miles on the course, the depths varying 
from 2900 to 1400 fathoms. 
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