Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/314

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
290
VOYAGE IN SEARCH
[1792.

lopendræ, of the species called scolopendra morsitans, insects which very much incommoded us.[1]

It was to no purpose, that we erected the observatory on the island of Cocos; for the incessant rains did not allow us to make a single observation. It is difficult to form a proper idea of these excessive rains, which poured down in an almost uninterrupted torrent.

The thermometer, observed at noon, while we lay at anchor, varied from 19° to 21°; and the barometer only from 28 inches 1 7-10th lines, to 28 inches 1 2-10th lines.

Our ship lay at anchor in 4° 48′ 10″ S. lat., and 150° 25′ 40″ E. long.

This harbour afforded us no refreshments; and we were unsuccessful in fishing.

The tides took place but once a day, and rose only about six feet.

  1. The harbouring of such noxious and abominable reptiles, is a solid objection against the wainscotting of houses in tropical climates, which is afterwards tacitly recommended by the author.—Translator.

CHAP.