the sea broke very high, at no more than three quarters of a mile distant, and when they had five and forty fathoms water. A sudden change of the wind to the northward enabled them to get clear of this threatening appearance: the danger was imminent, and the escape critical in the highest degree. From the situation of these rocks, so well adapted to catch unwary strangers, Mr. Cook called them the Traps, latitude 47° 21'. They lie somewhat to the southeastward of the extreme point of land of New Zealand, which was called Cape South, latitude 47° 19' S. longitude 167° 48′ E. A small island, consisting of a barren rock, about a mile in eircuit and five leagues from the main, was seen soon after they arrived on the western coast, which was called after Dr. Solander. West Cape lies in latitude 45° 54' S. longitude 166° 43′ E. so that the western extremity of this southern island projects near six degrees farther than that of the northern island. A range of mountains is supposed to extend nearly the whole length of Poenammoo: these were in one part called The Southern Alps, and in another, The Snowy mountains. Dusky Bay lies three leagues to the northward of West Cape. A prospect more rude, craggy and desolate, cannot be conceived, than that which this country affords from the sea: as far inland as the eye can reach, nothing appears but the summits of rocks, which stand so near together, that instead of valleys, there are only fissures between them. From the latitude of 44° 20′to 42° 8', these mountains lay farther inland, and the seacoast consists of woody hills and valleys, with much appearance of fertility. March 28th, Mr. Cook anchored to replenish his water-casks, having thirty tons of empty casks on board, in which employment the men were engaged until the 30th. The place which afforded this accommodation was named Admiralty Bay, which lies at a small distance from Queen Charlotte's Sound, in the narrow sea which divides this country into two islands, and which received the name of Cook's Straits. Whilst here, Mr. Banks examined several of the stones which lay upon the beach, and were full of veins: they had a mineral appearance, but he did not discover any thing in them which he knew to be ore. In sailing round the southern coast, a number of white patches had been seen, which Mr. Cook supposed to be white marble, as they reflected the sun's rays very strongly; but Mr. Banks was of opinion that they were a mineral substance; and, considering the correspondence of latitude between this place and South America, it is not improbable but, by a proper examination, something very valuable might be found. No part of the country but the sea-coast appeared to be inhabited, and even there the people were found to be thinly scattered, and the number of inhabitants bore no proportion to the extent of the country: the whole of the western coast appeared to be quite deserted of people. On the 31st of March they had lost sight of New Zealand, on which account the point of land that then appeared was called Cape Farewell. CHAP. III. The navigation of the eastern coast of New Holland. A most astonishing escape from shipwreck. The discovery of Endea vour Straits; passage to Batavia; and return of the ship to England. ON the 19th of April, 1770, our navigator made the coast of New Holland, in latitude 38°, longi VOL. X. tude 148° 53′ E. The spot first seen received the name of Point Hicks, as the first lieutenant, who bore that name, was the discoverer of it. The body of Van Diemen's Land, according to the account given by Tasman in his journal, published by Rembrantze, ought to have borne due south, but no land was to be seen; and as the coast trended N. E. and S.W. Mr. Cook could not determine whether it joined to Van Diemen's Land or not. Some of the natives were seen; but on the approach of a boat towards the shore they fled, and could not be induced to enter into any intercourse with their visitants. Tupia, who had now become a good marksman, frequently strayed by himself up the country to shoot parrots, in one of which rambles he met with nine Indians, who, as they perceived he saw them, ran away in great confusion and terror. Fish were caught on this coast in great abundance, and among the rest a sting-ray, which weighed no less than 240 pounds, after its entrails were taken out. The canoes here were found very much to resemble the smaller sort in New Zealand. Some of the Indians made a very singular appearance; for their faces seemed to have been dusted with a white powder, and their bodies painted with streaks of the same colour, which, passing obliquely over their breasts and backs, looked not unlike the cross-belts worn by our soldiers; the same kind of streaks were also drawn round their legs and thighs, like broad garters: each man held in his hand a weapon like a scimetar, about two feet and a half long. The place where the ship had anchored was abreast of a small village, consisting of about six or eight houses; and while the boat was hoisting out, they saw an old woman, followed |