in the sea language, is when there is no wind stirring.

That tract of sea, to the northward of the equator, between 4° and 16° of latitude, lying between the meridians of Cape Verde, and of the easternmost island of that name, seems to be a place condemned to perpetual calms: the little winds that are being only some sudden uncertain gusts of very small continuance, and less extent. The Atlantic ocean, near the equator, is very much subject, nay, always attended with these calms.