On the Cyclones of Tasmania, ce. 42] 
“ At noon, Feb. 6, we werein 89° 8’ §. and 147° 26' E. 
A clear sky overhead, but a strong haze all round. At1 p.m. 
the haze increased in thickness from E..N.E. by N. to N.W. 
extending up to the sun and preventing it from casting a 
shadow. At 1°30 the breeze freshened, bringing more haze 
with it; which increased so fast that at 2 P.M. the sun was 
invisible, and at $ p.m. it was difficult to read in the cuddy. 
Small dry, dark, burnt-looking leaves were borne along by 
the breeze, and a considerable quantity of dragon-flies, At 
3 p.m. the breeze was light, the haze increasing. in thickness 
in the W.S.W. and assuming a peculiar dark-looking colour. 
At 3°15 the haze began to disperse a little in the 8.W., the 
breeze shifting to N.W., increasing, and bringing hot puffs 
of wind with it: sail was at once reduced, so as to prepare 
the ship for the worst. At 3°30 the haze thickened all round, 
increasing so fast that at 4 P.M. it was as dark as it ever is 
at night. The sun, however, made one more attempt to 
exert its power by tinging the haze red for about a quarter 
of an hour soon after 8°30 p.m. At 4°15 the whole heaveng 
were darker than ever remembered by any one on board. It 
was literally impossible to see even a mast while standing 
within half a yard of it, much less any of the upper spars ; 
the boom, painted white, could not even be seen—the dark- 
ness was complete. The breeze from 8°14 to 4 was variable 
between N.W. & W., bringing with it a fine black dust very 
similar to powdered charcoal, in addition to hot wind, the 
hottest of which came from W. in gusts; in the face of 
which the thermometer rose to 98°, and no doubt would 
haye risen much higher, had the gusts lasted long enough 
to affect the mercury fully before the colder portion of the 
breeze blew upon it again. At 4°15 the breeze settled down 
at N.N.W. increasing fast, so that at 4°80 it blew a fresh 
gale, continuing s0 until 5°45, when it began to lull,and at 
