Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/516

478 which are the most constant, never blow with violence.

29th. We were but 1,020 toises from the coast, when the lead indicated a bottom, sometimes of coarse sand, sometimes of rock, the depth varying from nine to twelve fathoms.

At noon, our latitude was 32° 10′ south, and our longitude 124° 52′ east, the nearest land bearing N.N.W. distant 340 toises. It set by compass from N. 69° W. to E. 20° N. In a little time, it reassumed the form of a rampart, like that which we had already coasted; but with this difference, that its upper part rose by a gentle elevation into the interior country. We observed some shrubs, which did not seem to be in so suffering a state, as those which we had seen hitherto on the same coast.

The sea was covered with the species of fucus, called fucus natans, and by the French raisin de mer.

1st, 1793. Having been opposed by the easterly winds, we had only reached, about noon this day, 32° 8′ south latitude, and 126° 42′ east longitude, when we saw a fog rise, which every where represented a flat shore; and so striking was the illusion, that persons who came from between decks, thought that we had enter- ed