and by eight its bearing, due north, proved that its position in longitude is not far from correct.
The Starling was now directed to pursue a course so as to enter on the 130° meridian in latitude 17° N. I bore up to preserve a parallel course to her, and enter at 16° 30′ N., at which point another cluster of doubtful islands was reported to exist, as well as a continuous batch given us by the whalers in 1826 and 1827, as far as 135°, and which we then sought in the Blossom, without success. As the Starling would preserve a W.b.S. and the Sulphur a W.b.N. course through that region, avoiding the Blossom's track, they ought to have been found if they existed.
22nd. Wind light, Medusæ more plentiful, and a few sticks floating, excited our hopes of finding land; but the current having been determined to set S. 86° W., this would bring them from Clarion island.
24th. Breeze varied much in strength, water smooth. Tropic birds, (Phaeton Ætherius,) and frigate Pelican (Pelecanus Aquilus) also observed. As these latter birds do not go far from land, I am disposed to believe some one of these reports to be well founded, but the position erroneously determined. Weather unfavourable for astronomical observations, even should we discover land.
25th. Weather variable in puffs, varying our rate from five to nine knots. Shortly after noon the appearance on the lee quarter caused me to suspect land in that direction, but the indication was not sufficiently distinct to warrant any deviation from our course.
