Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/222

182 butcher with salt alone; and though under the Torrid Zone, it kept as well as what we prepared after Cook's manner, and tasted even better. The fat preserved in the brine made with vinegar was disgusting on account of its extreme softness, and it had a very strong taste of the vinegar, which no one liked.

Our coops were filled with fowls.

During the whole time of our lying at anchor, the quicksilver in the barometer did not rise above 28 inches two lines, French measure, and its variation was about one line.

The thermometer in the shade on shore had not risen higher than 25° 4-10ths, though we felt excessive heat.

The winds had varied from the south-east to the north-east, blowing but faintly.

Our observatory was in 21° 8′ 19″ S. lat., and 180° 29′ 38″ E. long.

The variation of the needle was 10° E.

The spring-tides rose five feet; and it was high water about half after six on the days of new and full moon.

From the accounts given us of the ships that had anchored in this archipelago, by very intelligent natives, we were convinced that La Pérouse had never put in to any of these islands. Besides, they assured us, that no accident had