( 445 ) 
thing at that Diftance from the Land, (the Iflands Tri m 
ftan d' Actinha being the neareft, which I judged to 
bear from usW. 9 0 , io', S. Diftance 186 Leagues) we 
were in Difpute what it might be when about 1 P. M. 
we took up a Piece in a Bucket, (the Ship going then 
bat 3 Knots) which confirmed my Opinion of its being 
Pumice-ftones , fuch as I gave you. Towards Night 
it was fpread all round us as far as we could fee : The 
Wind being variable from N. by E. to E. we flood to the 
Eaftward: Towards Morning, the Wind veering to the 
Northward, we fleered E.S. E. The Pumice-ftones were 
very thick, in Drifts, lying N. N. E. and S. S YV. and ex- 
tended out of our Sight at the Mail’s Head, encreafing 
as we ran to the Eaftward. To the 23 d at Noon I 
made our Courfe S. 38°, 30' E. Diftance 76 Miles : 
Latitude by Obfervation 36% 35' S. Longitude 3% 
24' Weft, from the Meridian of London „ 
JVednefday the 24th, clear Weather and frefh Gales, 
variable from N.E. by N.t'o N.by W. with along Swell 
from the Eaftward. We continued our Courfe E.S. E, 
140 Miles, the Pumice-ftones being thicker; fo that 
from Yefterday Noon till four this Morning, fome of the 
Drifts were about a Cable’s Length broad, and fothick r 
we could fcarce fee the Water between them ; and 
there was much the fame Breadth between the Drifts, 
with feveral ‘Pumice-ftones interfperfed. Towards 
Noon, I found the Pum 'tce fomewhat thinner : Latitude 
37% 35 / S. and Longitude T, 4' W. 
Ihurfday the 25th, from Noon tilltwo this Morning, 
had a frefh Gale at N. and N. by E. afterwards little 
Wind from W. to N. W. with a N. E. Sea : we fleered 
E. by S. 101 Miles, in the Evening the Drifts were 
near as large as above, but towards Morning decreafed 
much; 
3 
