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The Flinders papersletters and documents about the explorer Matthew Flinders (1774-1814)
 
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Portion of Flinders' journal on HMS Providence (1791-93) (FLI08a) Page 6


was Sunday. found it the same at Teneriffe the first day
we arrivd [sic] – the Air moderately warm and kept tolerable by
a Light Mode Breeze off the Land, some epidemic Disorder pre-
-vailing on shore, which was the Reason we staid [sic] so little Time
here and perhaps the Warmth being greater than at Sea,
might having some effect upon Captn Blighs Health, might
in some Measure conduce to it, for it is thought his Disorder
originated in that at Teneriffe, so that he was afraid to stay
here and we got under weigh as fast as poƒsible – the small hookd [sic]
a rock or perhaps one of those Anchors left here by Commodore Johnson, prior
to his Engagement with Suffraign, hove as large purchases as we were
able to rig [illegible] but could not purchase the Anchor – the Cable parted,
set the Topsails upon her and stood out of the Bay with a fresh
Breeze at NE – a strong Tide or current running from the Westward –
____________________________________________________________


                          At Sea towards the Cape
Several Butterflies and Moths constantly about the Ship,
yet our Distance from Land is too great for them to come
off. The Butterflies are all of a small Species, Wing vari-
-egated with light red and purple – in all probality [sic] they
are left in embrio [sic] about the Ship when near Land. –
Septr 16 Heavy Rains – the Nectarines got upon Deck for the
Benefit of the Rain –
Septr 23 – A small species of Malacop ^ tarigii or Hedge Hog fish ^ caught, & calld from its
being coverd [sic] with Spines like that Animal – its length was
3½ I, and greatest breadth 1I. its colour, a light Blue, fine-
ly striated and spotted with black, spines likewise black – Skin
loose and capable of being distended to the size of a Mans fist
in which lays its Defence against the superior Fish of Prey, for
by Drawing in a Quantity of Water it produces this Distension,


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Related people
Pope Clement XIII
Guthrie, James
Nichols, William
Bligh, William
Flinders, Matthew
Smith, Christopher

Places
Tenerife
Cape of Good Hope
Timor

Vessels
Providence

Words and phrases
Marvel of Peru
Candelaria
Aloe americanae
Euphorbia
Semper vivum
Hottentot
Trifolium
Aloes
Order of St Dominic
Spanish mackerel
Hedgehog fish
Portuguese man of war
Dolphin fish
Time keeper
Spermaceti whale
Nautili

Related Documents
Other documents written by Flinders, Matthew