22 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPIC AL 
1818. sation; and to raise the mercury in the ther- 
FebT 10. mometer from 79 ° to 89 °. We were also assailed 
by an incredible number of flies and other 
insects, among which was a beautiful species of 
libellula. The sea swarmed with turtles, sea- 
snakes, and fish of various sorts; and the 
dolphin was eminently conspicuous for its speed, 
and the varied beauty of its colours. 
From the Cape, the low sandy land trended to 
the S.S.E. for a mile and a half, and then with 
the same character to S.S.W. | W., in which 
direction it was lost in distance ; and in the 
north east, was a low rocky island. 
The wind fell after passing round the Cape, 
and was so light during the afternoon, that 
we made no progress, and were obliged to 
anchor at about three or four miles to the 
eastward of the Cape. At nine o’ clock the wind 
freshened with the flood-tide, which raised a 
heavy swell in which the cutter rode very 
li. uneasily: and, in the morning, when we at- 
tempted to weigh the anchor, the cable parted, 
having been cut by rocks. Owing to the bad 
construction of the buoy, it did not watch ; and, 
as the tide quickly swept us from the place, 
we had no chance left of recovering the anchor. 
As the sun rose the wind gradually fell ; and, 
at noon, we were no farther advanced than a 
