Page:Manual of the New Zealand Flora.djvu/17

Rh and shooting some most beautiful birds." Further on, he gives a description of the Maori cultivations, in which were planted "sweet potatos, cocos, and a plant of the cucumber kind," doubtless referring to the kumara, taro, and hue. Dr. Solander, in his manuscript volume of descriptions, presently to be referred to, enumerates ninety-eight species of plants as having been collected at "Tigadu." Among these were the first specimens of the beautiful Clianthus puniceus, which was found cultivated by the Natives near their dwellings.

On taking his departure from Anaura, Cook at first stood to the northwards, but the wind being unfavourable, he determined to put into Tolaga Bay, where the Natives had informed him wood and water could easily be obtained for his ship. On the morning of the 23rd he accordingly anchored about a mile from a small cove just inside the southern point of the bay. Here a stay was made until the 30th October. The Natives were friendly and obliging, and an ample supply of wood and water was obtained. Both Banks and Solander passed most of their time on shore, and an excellent collection of plants was formed. With respect to the vegetation. Cook remarks, "The Tops and ridges of the Hills are for the most part barren, at least little grows on them but fern; but the Valleys and sides of many of the Hills were luxuriously clothed with woods and Verdure and little Plantations of the Natives lying dispers'd up and down the Country. We found in the Woods, Trees of above 20 different sorts; Specimens of each I took on board, as all of them were unknown to any of us. The Tree which we cut for firing was something like Maple and yielded a whitish Gum. There was another sort of a deep Yellow which we imagin'd might prove useful in dying. We likewise found one Cabage Tree which we cut down for the sake of the cabage. The Country abounds with a great Number of Plants, and the woods with as great a variety of beautiful birds, many of them unknown to us." Altogether, Tolaga Bay appears to have left a favourable impression on the "Endeavour's" people. From the localities cited in Solander's manuscripts, it appears that about 160 species of plants were collected.

Leaving Tolaga Bay on the 30th October, Cook made sail to the northwards. On the following day he rounded the East Cape, and passing Cape Runaway and White Island (which was evidently quiescent at that time), he coasted along the shores of the Bay of Plenty, having occasional intercourse with those Maoris who came off to him in their canoes, but making no attempt to land. On the 3rd November he was abreast of Tauranga, and on the 4th reached the entrance of Mercury Bay. Finding in this locality a secure harbour with plenty of wood and water, and being anxious to observe the transit of Mercury, which was to take place on the 9th, Cook brought his vessel to an anchor. During a stay of eleven days many plants were collected, figured, and described, the total number, reckoning from Solander's