Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/313

] which I observed adorning the bases of the large trees, through a very extensive space.

Our boat was sent a fishing on the coast of New Ireland, about 5,000 toises to the south-east. There were observed some habitations, which had been newly and very ingeniously constructed by the natives, who were not contented with the roasted fruit of the cycas circinalis; for the remains of shell-fish were seen near those cottages.

24th. When the Commander anchored in Carteret harbour, he intended to remain there at least fifteen days; but the excessive rains made him resolve to leave it much sooner.

The greatest activity had been been exerted in procuring our complement of wood and water; and on the morning of the 24th we had made every preparation for setting sail.

The water which we took in at Carteret harbour was very good, and procured with great facility, by means of wooden spouts, which conveyed it into the boat, with no other trouble than lifting it three feet lower than the spout.

Our wood was cut in the Island of Cocos, and the conveyance of it was the more easy, as the boat could come close to the beach. It is proper to remark, that the wood, which we obtained at Carteret harbour, introduced into the ship a prodigious number of scorpions and sco- lopendræ,