On the 29th of the month, between eight and nine o'clock at night, when our voyagers were near the Cape of Good Hope, the whole sea, within the compass of their sight, became at once, as it were, illuminated.

The captain had been formerly convinced, by Mr.Banks and Dr.Solander, that such appearances in the ocean were occasioned by insects.

Mr.Forster, however, seemed disposed to adopt a different opinion.

To determine the question, our commander ordered some buckets of water to be drawn up from alongside the ship, which were found full of an innumerable quantity of small globular insects, about the size of a common pin's head, and quite transparent.

Though no life was perceived in them, there could be no doubt of their being living animals, when in their own proper element: and Mr.Forster became now well satisfied that they were the cause of the sea's illumination.
On the 30th, the Resolution and Adventure anchored in Table Bay; soon after which Captain Cook went on shore, and, accompanied by Captain Furneaux, and the two Mr.Forsters, waited on Baron Plettenberg, the governor of the Cape of Good Hope, who received the gentlemen with great politeness, and promised them every assistance the place could afford.