Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

652 KARLY MIGRATION contrary it is highly probable, that Chinese or Japanese Junks were driven to the Sandwich Islands ; perhaps across to the North American coast. Between the tropics in the Pacific an easterly trade wind is found during more than half the year ; but it is not generally known (except by readers of voyages) that from November to March there is much west wind, rain, and occasional tempest, between the vicinity of the equator, and about fifteen degrees south. This westerly monsoon, for such in fact it is, some- times is steadily regular, and at others interrupted by calms, storms,* or heavy rains. The eastern limit to which it usually reaches is about 110° W. long., but there is reason to suppose, that it extends at times, irregularly, to ^he Gala- pagos Islands, if not to the adjacent continent, when Guay- aquil is suffering from heavy torrents of rain. While the sun is far south, this westerly monsoon extends to the tropic of Capricorn, between the meridians of 150° E. and 120° W. longitude. At other times of the year the tropical regions of the Pacific are refreshed by pleasant easterly winds, varying in moderate strength, and in their direction from the north- ward or southward of east. Beyond the region of tropical or trade winds, an almost con- tinual succession of westerly winds is found to prevail. In those middle latitudes easterly winds sometimes blow ; but their amount is not more than one-fifth that of the west winds, throughout the year. In the Southern Atlantic and Southern Indian ocean similar winds prevail, between the parallels of 30° and 60°. In- stances in profusion may be found in narratives of voyages, where very small vessels, boats, or canoes, have made long passages across an open ocean, or have passed months in ignorance of their geographical situation, enduring the most dreadful privations. In the event of a float, whetlier raft, canoe, or rudely constnicted vessel, being carried out of sight • During- these storms, which begin very suddenly, not only vessels are driven out of their course, but birds, insects, and seeds are carried to great distances.