Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/460

432 night, than in the day. They continually disturbed our repose, by passing over any part of our bodies which happened to be uncovered.

The cockroach, called blatta orientalis, made its appearance on board soon after our departure from Brest; but it soon took leave of us, and its place was supplied by the first mentioned species.

17th. This day we were carried 38′ to the north-west. The Trials, from which we were not far distant, and some shoals, doubtless caused very strong currents.

19th. This day we passed the tropic of Capricorn. The mercury in the barometer rose, on the same day, to 28 inches 5 lines, which appeared the more surprizing, as it varies but little in the tropical regions. It was besides the only instance, in our whole voyage, in which it rose so high in such a latitude. Although the thermometer was not lower than 18°, we experienced a keen sensation of cold.

21st. We began to meet with variable winds, being in latitude 26° S.

Our goats daily perished for want of proper food. We lost at the rate of two in the day.

28th. About five o'clock P.M. the Esperance being to windward, had very nearly run foul of us; though the wind was favourable for steering. That piece of negligence in the officer of the watch,