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The tide rises
and falls scarce afoot in the harbour; but the surf runs high.
The inhabitants
are very expert swimmers, and will remain in the water a long time, even
with their hands full.
4 - 7 May
1769
Page 26
This day we also saw them polishing their canoes, which was done with the madrepora fungites, a species of coral, or sea mushroom, with which they also polish the beams of their houses.
11 - 19 June 1769
Pages 30 - 31
Dr. Solander, Mr. Banks, and several others, went to visit Tootahau, to see if they could obtain any hogs; and, after going much farther than where he usually resides, they met with him, and queen Oboreah: they treated them with fair promises, and invited them to stay the night with them, which they accepted; but, in the morning, some missed their stockings, others their jackets and waistcoats, amongst the rest, Mr. Banks lost his white jacket and waistcoat, with silver frogs, in the pockets of which were a pair of pistols, and other things: they enquired for them, but could get no account of them, and they came away greatly dissatisfied, having obtained but one pig.
Catalogue of plants
Pages 37
E marra. Nauclea-orientalis,
Of the timber
of this tree they build their large canoes
Page 39
Tawhannoo.
Guettarda-speciosa.
The timber
of this tree, which grows pretty large at Toopbai, and other low islands
near Otaheite, serves to make stools, chests, paste-troughs, and various
other utensils; they also build canoes of it.
E avee.
Spondias-dulcis.
This is a
large stately tree, and often grows to the height of forty and fifty feet:
the fruit, which, I believe, is peculiar to these isles, is of an oval
shape, yellow when ripe, and grows in bunches of three or four, and is
about the size of a middling apple, with a large stringy core: It is a
very wholsome and palatable fruit, improving on the taste, which is nearest
that of a mangoe; it is strongly impregnated with turpentine, and makes
excellent pies when green. The wood serves for building canoes, and for
several other purposes.
Page 40
E aowiree.
Terminalla-glabrata.
This tree,
which grows to a large size, is often planted in their Morais, and near
their houses, for the sake of its agreeable shade; the wood serves to build
canoes, make chests, stools and drums: the kernel of the nut which is in
the fruit, though small, has a very pleasant taste. [See pl. X.]
Page 41
Tamanno.
Calophyllum-inophyllum.
This is a
most beautiful verdant tree, that grows to a large size, bearing spikes
of white flowers: with the juice of the fruit and leaves they dye their
garments a pale yellow, which, at the same time, gives them a rich perfume.
The wood is greatly valued by them on account of its beauty and duration.
They build canoes, make stools, and other utensils of it: it is most likely
planted in the Morais, being sacred to their god Tan&ecute;.
E hootoo.
Betonica-splendida.
This beautiful
tree grows to a considerable height, and bears a very large and specious
white flower, full of long purple stamina, with which they sometimes deck
their heads, and sometimes stick them in their ears: the fruit, powdered,
they throw into the water to kill fish; and of the wood they build small
canoes.
E pooamattapeepee.
Besleria-laurifolia.
The flower
of this tree is much admired on account of its sweet scent, for which reason
they stick them in their ears and hair, and put them among their garments,
and into their monoe. The wood is very tough and lasting, and of it they
make drums, and thwarts across their canoes.
Page 44
Tooneenna.
Hernandia-ovigera.
Of the wood
of this tree they make a sort of very small canoes, and several other necessary
utensils.
Page 45
E ooroo. Sitodium-altile.
This tree,
which yields the bread-fruit so often mentioned by the voyagers to the
South-seas, may justly be stiled the Staff-of-life to these islanders;
for from it they draw most of their support. This tree grows to between
thirty and forty feet high, has large palmated leaves, of a deep grass-green
on the upper-side, but paler on the under; and bears male and female flowers,
which come out single at the bottom or joint of each leaf.
<...>
Of the wood
they build canoes, and make several other sorts of utensils; and, of the
bark of young plants of it, which are raised on purpose, they make very
good cloth, which is but little inferior to that made of Eaowte, only somewhat
more harsh and harder.
Pages 46- 49
E toee.
Zezyphoides-argentea.
The wood of
this tree they make use of for various purposes, such as sterns of canoes,
heightening boards for ditto, and beams to beat their cloth upon.
Vocabulary
Page 54
Eàrroe, The swell of the sea, and the surf.
Page 61
Eaow, To swim.
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