tions, and recording his notices of the tides, currents, and variation of the compass; correcting, as he carefully did, the errors of former navigators. Mr. Anderson also improved this leisure time, in making short excursions into the country, to examine its rocks, soils, and natural productions. His valuable remarks on these subjects, were superseded by a more ample account of this colony published by Dr. Sparrman.
Before leaving the Cape, our navigators, not knowing where they could again meet with supplies, took on board such a stock of provisions as was sufficient, with what they had already, to serve them for more than two years. And now, having got their live stock and every thing else on board, both vessels weighed anchor, on saturday, Nov. 30th; but did not get clear of the land till tuesday, Dec. 3rd. When they were setting sail, Captain Cook gave Capt. Clerke a copy of his instructions, and directed him how to proceed in case of separation.
After experiencing some rough weather, which carried away the mizen top-mast of the Resolution, and proved fatal to some of the goats and sheep, our navigators, on thursday, Dec. 12th, fell in with two islands, discovered by Marion and Crozet, in 1772. The largest, about 15 leagues in circuit, was found to be in 46° 53' S. lat., 37° 46' E. long.; the smallest, which is the most northerly, is about 9 leagues in circuit, and is in 46° 40' S. lat., 38° 8' E. long. The ships passed between them; and it was observed, that both islands are rocky, barren, and uninviting, the summits and sides of the mountains being covered with snow, while neither tree nor shrub could be seen on the plains.