Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/87

] tween them, by removing them from one observatory to the other.

The dip of the needle was 72° at the observatory of the Recherche, and 71° at that of the Esperance.

During our stay in Rocky Bay, the winds varied from north-west to south-west, and frequently in heavy squalls. The sky was seldom clear, but we had little rain.

The tides were perceptible only once in twenty-four hours. As the wind influenced them much, we could not determine with precision the time of high-water at the full and change of the moon.

Their greatest perpendicular rise was only five feet, or a little more.

During this stay, our sailors lost much of their ardour for fishing; for this laborious occupation, in which they were employed chiefly by night, did not exempt them from the duties of the ship in the day; so that, after having sitten up to fish, they were obliged to work all day, as well as those who had enjoyed their regular sleep in the night. Care should have been taken, however, not to damp the zeal of our fishers, for it was an object of general importance to all, to procure an ample supply of fresh provision; besides, it was unjust not to allow at least a few hours rest in the day to men, who had been spending the night