ABSTRACT
October 20th, 1835. The survey o f the Galapagos Archipelago being concluded, a course was steered towards Tahiti; and we commenced our long passage o f 3200 miles. In the course o f a few days we sailed out o f the gloomy and clouded region, which extends during the winter far from the coast o f South America. We then enjoyed bright and clear weather, while running pleasantly along at the rate o f 150 or 160 miles a day before a steady trade-wind. The temperature in this more central part o f the Pacific, is higher than near the American shore. The thermometer in the poop cabin, both by night and day, ranged between 8o° and 83°, which to my feelings was quite delightful; but with one degree higher, the effect became oppressive. We passed through the Dangerous or Low Archipelago, and saw several o f those most curious rings o f land, just rising above the edge o f the water, which have been called Lagoon Islands. A long and brilliantly-white beach is capped by a margin o f green vegetation; and this strip appears on both hands rapidly to narrow away in the distance, and then sinks beneath the horizon. From the mast-head a wide expanse o f smooth water can be seen within the annular margin o f land. These low islands bear no proportion to the vast ocean out o f which they abruptly rise; and it seems wonderful, that such weak intruders / are not overwhelmed, by the all-powerful and never-tiring waves o f that great sea, miscalled the Pacific.
