in
rine’s we remained eight days, and during the interval necessary
for ascertaining the rates of the chronometers, I obtained magnetic
observations.
After a tedious voyage of nineteen days from St. Catherine’s,
I arrived at Monte Video, and there received intelligence that
the long-wished permission from the Lord High Admiral, to
procure a tender, had been obtained. I accordingly purchased
a schooner, which I named the Adelaide, and appointed Lieutenant
Graves to the command. Five months’ additional provisions
for both vessels were purchased, and put into her; and
on the 23d December, > after running up the river to complete
our water, we sailed out by the southern entrance, passing to
the westward of the Archimedes’ Shoal, and proceeded without
farther detention to the southward.
On the 1st of January (in latitude 43° 17' and long. 61° S'),
I was informed that we were close to a rock. Upon going on
deck,I saw the object; but in a very short time I perceived it
was a dead whale, upon whose half-putrid body large flocks of
birds were feeding. Many on board were, however, sceptical,
until, on passing to leeward, the strong odour testified the fact.
Its appearance certainly was very like the summit of a dark
brown rock, covered with weeds and barnacles, and the myriads
of birds which surrounded it added to the deception. It could,
however, be distinguished by its buoyancy; for the water did
not break over it, as of course it would have done had it
been a fixed body. Such is probably the origin of half the
‘ vigías’ that are found on the charts. Whales, when struck
by the fishers, frequently escape and perish; the carcass then
floats on the surface of the sea, until decomposed or eaten
by birds and fishes. A small vessel striking against such a
mass, would probably be severely injured; and at night, the
tffll I it'
sliell, th a t it seemed as if the shell increased with the animal’s growth.
When SO many learned naturalists have differed so materially as to the
character of the inhabitants of the arg’onauta, it would be presumption
in me to express even an opinion ; 1 therefore merely mention the fact,
and state th a t in no one specimen did there appear to be any connexion
between the animal and the shell.