I Did Not Observe Any Difference In The
Variation Between The N.W. And S.E. Parts Of This Land,
Except when we were
at anchor before Balade, where it was less than 10 deg.; but this I did not
Regard, as I found such an uniformity out at sea; and it is there where
navigators want to know the variation. While we were on the N.E. coast, I
thought the currents set to S.E. and W. or N.W. on the other side; but they
are by no means considerable, and may, as probably, be channels of tides,
as regular currents. In the narrow channels which divide the shoals, and
those which communicate with the sea, the tides run strong; but their rise
and fall are inconsiderable, not exceeding three feet and a half. The time
of high-water, at the full and change, at Balade, is about six o'clock; but
at Botany Isle we judged it would happen about ten or eleven o'clock.
[1] Mr G.F. very plainly avows his conviction that they were trees,
which on a prodigious tall stem had short and slender branches, not
discernible at a distance. Captain Cook, it is very evident, uses the
language of banter, not quite consistent with either the dignity of
his own character, or the respect due to even the mistaken opinion of
men of science. - E.
[2] "We were becalmed in the evening among the reefs, which surrounded
us on all sides, and made our situation dangerous, on account of the
tides and currents, as well as for want of anchoring-ground, having
sounded in vain with a line of 150 fathoms. At half past seven o'clock
we saw a ball of fire to the northward, in size and splendour
resembling the sun, though somewhat paler. It burst a few moments
after, and left behind it several bright sparks, of which the largest,
of an oblong shape, moved quickly out of our horizon, whilst a kind of
bluish flame followed, and marked its course. Some heard a hissing
noise, which accompanied the swift descent of this meteor. Our
shipmates expected a fresh gale after its appearance; having
frequently observed the same to ensue upon similar occasions. And in
fact, whatever may be the relation between this phenomenon, and the
motion of the atmosphere, or whether it was accident, their
predictions were verified the same night, when a brisk gale sprung up,
which settled at south." - G.F.
If the opinion of some philosophers as to the origin of these fire-
balls, be correct, viz. that they are produced by the combination of
animal or vegetable products suspended in the atmosphere, it is easy
to understand, how, the equilibrium of the atmosphere being destroyed
by the condensation, if one may so call it, of a large part of its
constituent principles, those meteors should be followed by
considerable gales or storms. Perhaps, indeed, this opinion best
explains all the circumstances of this phenomenon, and especially the
occurrence so constantly observed of such agitation.
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