On ſeveral parts of the ſhore, there was drift-wood, of a larger ſize, than any of the trees, that grow on the iſland: alſo bamboos and wild ſugar canes, with a few ſmall cocoa nuts at full growth, though not larger than a pigeon's egg. We obſerved alſo, ſome burnt wood, but that might have drifted from the continent, been thrown over-board from a ſhip, or fired by lightning on the ſpot.
The deep-water fiſh, were of every kind, that is uſually found, in the tropical Latitudes, except ſpermaceti whale, and of them we ſaw none, but ſharks were in great abundance.
The dip of the needle I found here to be at 84°, and the variation of the compaſs 8° 10′. The thermometer was never higher than 73½, and in the morning, evening and night, it was below ſummer heat in England. I conſider it as one of the moſt delightful climates under heaven, although ſituated, within a few miles of the Equator. The barometer generally ſtood at 29-8-4. The evening, night, and morning, were always clouded; and during the nights, there generally fell, as heavy dews, as off the main.
