CHAP. than those above mentioned; and they have been so frequently de-
scribed that they are familiar to every reader, and, as well as the
Ally, picturesque scenery ofKio Janeiro itself, are quite proverbial. Indeed
there is little left in the vicinity of this magnificent port, of which the
description will possess the merit of novelty.
The observations which were made during our stay in Rio Janeiro
will be found in the Appendix. It may, however, be interesting to
insert here the height of the Peak of Corcovado, a singularly shaped
mass of granite which overlooks the placid waters of Bota-Fogo, as the
measurements hitherto given are at variance with each other, and as
it is a subject which has caused many discussions among the good
people who live in its vicinity.
Our first measurement was with barometers, which, calculated by
Mr. Daniell’s new formula, gave the base of the flag-staff on the Peak,
above h a l f - t id e , ......................................................................................... feet.
The next, by trigonometrical measurement, gave . • 2306
On my return to the same place, three years afterwards,
I repeated the observations, which gave the height as
follows;—
By barometrical m ea su r em en t................................. 2 2 9H * feet.
By trigonometrical m ea su r em en t........................... 2S05.|j'
The Sugar Loaf by the first base in 1823 was . . 1286
by the second base in 1828 was . 1299+
The astronomical observations were made at an observatory erected
in Mr. May’s garden at Gloria, an indulgence for which I feel parricu-
larly indebted to that gentleman, as well as for other civilities which I
received from him during my stay at the place.
• This differs sixteen feet from the first result, whlcli may partly be owing to tlie
barometers, on this occasion, not being in such good order as at first; the amount, however,
is so small as almost to need no apology, particularly as the observations were made on days
as opposite as possible to each other—the first in drizzling rain, the last on a clear sun-
shining day—whereby tlie formula was put to. the severest trial.
t°Tn this operation I was assisted by Captain H enry Forster, R. N., an officer weE known
to the scientific world, with whom I had the pleasure to become acquainted at this place.
t The difference in these measurements is, no doubt, owing to there being no object on
the summit of the hill sufficiently defined for the purpose of observation, and it is almost im-
possible to ascend it.
On the 13tli of August we sailed from Rio Janeiro for the Pacific: CHAP,
a passage interesting from the difficulties which sometimes attend it,
and from its possessing the peculiarity of producing the greatest change ■'“J;“ '-
of climate in the shortest space of time. The day after we left the
port, we encountered a dangerous thunder-storm, which commenced in
the evening, and lasted till after midnight: during this time the sheet
lightning was vivid and incessant, and the forked frequently passed
between the masts. The wind varied so often, that it was with the
greatest difficulty the sails were prevented coming aback; and it blew
so hard that it was necessary to lower the close-reefed topsails on the
cap. Shortly after midnight, a vivid flash of lightning left five meteors
upon the mast-heads and topsail yard-arms, but did no damage: they
were of a bluish cast, burnt about a quarter of an hour, and then disappeared.
The weather almost immediately afterwards moderated, and
the thunder cloud passed away.
We had afterwards light and variable winds, with which we crept
down to the southward, until the night of the 25th. When nearly
abreast of the River Plate, a succession of pamperos» began, and continued
until the 2nd of September, with their usual characteristics, Sept.
of thunder and lightning, with hail and sunshine between. On the
9th, soundings were obtained in 75 fathoms off the Falkland Islands;
but no land was seen at the time, in consequence of misty weather.
We here again experienced a short though heavy gale. As it was
against us, we turned our proximity to the land to good account, by
seeking shelter under its lee, striking soundings upon a sandy bottom,
from 50 to 80 fathoms, the depth increasing with the distance from
the coast. The weather moderated on the day following, and we saw
the land, from S. 25° W. to S. 56° W., eight or nine leagues distant:
the wind, at the same time, became favourable, and carried us past the
Islands during the night. The eastern point of these Islands (Cape
St. Vincent), by such observations as we were able to make, appears to
* These are heavy gusts of -wand which blow off the heated plains (or pampas) lying
between the foot of the Cordillera Mountains and the sea. In the River Plate, and near
the coast, they are very violent and dangerous, from the sudden manner in which they
occur. Their force diminishes as the distance from the coast increases. i