50 Mr Rainers Notice in regard to Macquarie Island . 
blew from the north or south. On shore, the thermometer ge- 
nerally stood 6° or 7° higher than on board. Our barometer 
unfortunately having been broken, we are unable to say anything 
respecting its changes. 
The prevailing winds are from the MW., the W., and SW.,. 
easterly winds seldom blowing. During our stay we experienced 
three easterly gales, two of which blew very strong. We occa- 
sionally had snow-squalls and hail, but no thunder or lightning. 
The snow never remained above two days on the ground. 
We saw no ice on the island, excepting icicles at the rivulets. 
About three years ago an ice-island was seen, and so large as 
to ground in 80 fathoms water. We twice observed a bright- 
ness to the southward, in the form of steady rays, which we 
supposed to be the aurora australis. The falling stars were par- 
ticularly bright, and so were the constellations. The phosphoric 
appearance in the sea- water is very bright. 
The gangs employed in fishing live in huts constructed with 
rafters, thatched with the tussock, and sometimes covered with 
the hides of the elephants: their fire is the blubber. Exclusive 
of the salt provisions left with them, they eat the hearts and 
livers of penguins, the eggs of birds, particularly those of the 
penguin ; young albatrosses and mutton-birds, which they salt, 
and of which they have always a store thus prepared ; widgeons, 
parrots, teal, and elephants’ tongues. 
In enumerating the animals, I omitted to mention the sea- 
leopard, so called from the skin being spotted. It is said to de- 
vour penguins, young pups of the sea-elephants, and has been 
known even to attack a boat. There have been six varieties of 
penguins seen, four of which are common, and regularly visit 
the island ; the other two have only been seen once, and that 
last year. Drift-wood is often found on the beach, which is 
known to come from Campbell’s Island, that island having much 
of the sort growing upon it. On the west side there is also a 
part of a topmast of a ship of 400 or 500 tons ; together with 
a studding sail-boom ; and the ribs and vertebras of a whale. 
Sydney, | 
February 4. 1822. ji 
