May 1855 Japanese Coast which was floating dead upon the water, but fresh though with no marks of violence upon it. 31st N. Lat. 36° 16' E. Lon. 140° 43' Wind ENE light Temp. 69° Beating up the coast. At times during the day the sea was almost calm. Fishing boats crowded around us, supplying us with many species of fish in exchange for bottles, etc. We get enough to furnish a good meal for nearly all on board. Specimens of fishing-hooks and lines were also obtained. I went in a boat to some of these fishing-boats, and we were nearly swamped and stove by those heavy, clumsy craft which pressed up against us in every direction. Some boats also put off from the towns along the coast, from the people in whch we got coins, pipes etc. in exchange for buttons and other trifles. Among the fish obtained at this time were species of the genera Scamber, Platyccephalus, Plat- essa, Myliobatis, Rhinobatis? Pastinaea? Squatina Scorpaena, Trigla, Sarzus, Clupea, Caraux, Alasa? Engraulis, Cottus? Othello orrus Mustelus. The small herrings and Anchovies were chief- ly used as bait; but for this purpose some had crabs and Cuttlefish, of which we took speci- imens. June 1855 Japanese Coast 31st N. Lat. 36° 30' E. Lon. 140° 51' Nearly calm. Temp. 72° The coast still in sight, though at a much greater distance. Several Japanese vessels also in sight. 2nd N. Lat. 37° 34' E. Lon. 141° 43' Wind S. light. Fog. Temp. 70° No land in sight. A gradually increasing Southerly wind. The Hawke was seen astern but im- mediately after shut in by the fog. 3rd N. Lat. 39° 18' E. Lon. 142° 26' Wind S.E. Thick. Temp. 66° Sunday. Coast in sight at noon. 4th N. Lat. 41° 30' E. Lon. 141° 30' Wind E.S.E. Temp. 58° Blowing a gale, with thick weather and dense fog. Running west we suddenly discovered land a- head and quite close - this was the N. extremity of Niphon. We thus wore, and heading N.E. in the afternoon saw land to the E.? (Tesso I) Under reefed topsails and courses. 5th N. Lat. 41° 44' E. Lon. 141° 21' Wind W.S.W. Temp. 56° The fog clearing away about noon, and the wind moderating we found ourselves in the Strait of Sangar, in a tremendous chaffing, boiling, irregular sea, occasioned by the strong set of the current against the wind. This current running in an easterly direction was dead against us, and we made no progress.