Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/108

84 hibited in collections of natural history, is not that which is most usual to them.

Near the north shore of this bay we landed a young he-goat, and a she-goat big with kid, putting up our prayers that the savages might allow them to propagate their breed in this island. Perhaps they may multiply in it to such a degree, as to occasion a total change in the manner of life of the inhabitants, who may then become a pastoral people, quit without regret the borders of the sea, and taste the pleasure of not being obliged to dive in search of their food, at the risk of being devoured by sharks. The women, who are condemned to this toilsome occupation, will be much more sensible of the value of such a present than the men: but it is to be feared that these animals will be killed before they have time to breed, as appears to have happened to the sow and boar left by Captain Cook; at least no one of us ever perceived the slightest trace of these animals.

The latitude of our observatory, which was near a mile and a quarter south from our anchoring place, was 43° 21′ 18″ south, and its longitude 145° 12′ 17″ east.

The variation of the needle, observed at the same place, was 7° 30′ east.