Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/419

] formed a good fence. Its seeds have a very agreeable taste, resembling that of the hazle-nut. The natives apprized us, that, when eaten even in a small quantity, they induced great drowsiness. They did not know that the narcotic quality resides in the part, known to the botanists by the name of the embryo; and I had the pleasure of showing them, that, when this part is removed, the kernel may be eaten, without any inconvenience.

Advancing farther into the country, we observed some individuals of the arnotto, bixa orellana, which were cultivated with little care. When we had reached the entrance of the road, we saw at a distance several large canoes striving to make it, and some others which had nearly gained that object.

Our little canoe had arrived at the place of rendezvous, when the boisterous tide raised waves, which did not a little embarrass the steersman; the sea being at the same time very much broken. It was, in short, absolutely necessary for us to wait till it was calmed, before we could go on board, in order to proceed to the other side of the road, which was the most distant excursion we had hitherto made.

For some time we kept along the shore, in order that we might the more easily oppose the tide,