One unaccountable circumstance is worthy of notice, though it did not now occur for the first time.

It is, that when the sun was on the starboard of the ship, the variation was the least; and when on the larboard side, the greatest.
On the 8th, our commander, in consequence of no signals having been answered by the Adventure, had reason to apprehend that a separation had taken place.

After waiting two days, during which guns were kept discharging, and false fires were burned in the night, the fact was confirmed; so that the Resolution was obliged to proceed alone in her voyage.

As she pursued her course, penguins and other birds, from time to time, appeared in great numbers; the meeting with which gave our navigators some hopes of finding land, and occasioned various speculations with regard to its situation.

Experience, however, convinced them, that no stress was to be laid on such hopes.