Page:New history of Botanybay (sic) and Port Jackson.pdf/5

 only on one side of the head, while the rest of them have all the upper part of the head shorn close, leaving a circle of hair all round somewhat like the tonsure of the Romish ecelesiastics. Some gentlemen paid their addresses to them, and made them liberal offers of presents, which were rejected with great disdain; whether from a of virtue or the fear of displeasing their men could not be determined. That this gallantry was not very agreeable to the latter is certain; for an elderly man as soon as he observed it, ordered all the women and children to retire, which they obeyed, though some of them shewed a little reluctance.

The inhabitants of Van Diemen's land have some wretched constructions of sticks covered with bark; but these seemed only to have been erected for temporary purposes: and many of the largest trees were converted into comfortable habitations; these had their trunks hollowed out by fire, to the height of six or seven feet: they have an hearth of clay in the middle, and room for four or five persons to sit round it. At the same time these shelters are durable, for they take care to leave one side of the tree sound, which is sufficient to keep it growing as luxuriantly as any other tree.

Captain Cook visited various parts of the Southern extremity, previous to his falling in with the spot under immediate consideration; and standing to the Northward, he discovered a bay, which he afterwards called Botany Bay, the great number of Plants collected at  place, It is situated on the Eastern coast