Nov'imb’ir. Not only well-tailed antifcorbutic plants, but likewife the
filh, which are eafily digefted, feem to me to have been equally
felutary reftoratives. The keen air which is felt in New
Zeeland, on the fineft days, contributed not a little to brace
our fibres, relaxed by a long cruize in warmer climates, and
the ftrong exercife we took was doubtlefs beneficial in many
refpedts. From hence it happened that we always left that
country with new vigour. If we came in ever fo pale and
emaciated, the good cheer which we enjoyed during our
flay, foon rekindled a glow of health on our cheeks, and
we returned to the fouth, like our fhip, to all outward appearance,
as clean and found as ever, though in reality
fomewhat impaired by the many hard rubs of the voyage.
Perhaps it may be attributed in part to the healthinefs of
the air, the fimplicity of food, and particularly its eafy di-
geftion and great abundance, that the natives have attained
a tall ftature, are mufcular, well proportioned *, and well
formed. It appears indeed from many circumftances, that
fifh are fo innumerable on their coafts, as to fupply them
with conftant food, in fuffinient quantity throughout the
year, efpecially as M. Crozet and ourfelves obferved that
they had laid up a plentiful fliare of dried filh for the
winter.
♦ .Except their-legs, which are ill-fhaped, from their mode of fitting*
CH A P .
C H A P . V.
The courfe from New Zedand to Tierra del Fuego.— Stay at Chrijlmas
Harbour. ■
Barbara prasruptis inclufa eft (infula) (axis:
Horrida, delertis undique vafta locis.
Umbrarum nullo ver eft Isetabile foetu,
Nullaque in infaufto nafcitur herba (bio. Seneca-
WE cleared Cook’s Strait on the 1 oth in the afternoon,
after palling within a few leagues of the new inlet,
which we had difcovered previous to our departure.
We were becalmed all the next day in fight of the land, and
did not obtain a breeze till towards evening. On the 1 2th
in the morning we were out of fight of land, and fleered
away between the fouth and eaft, towards Tierra del Fuego.
We entered upon this navigation with more chearfulnefs,
than upon the laft fouthern cruize. We were perfuaded
that no land lay in our way tp retard our progrefs ; the
wefterly winds, which prevail in thefe latitudes, were in our
favour ; and we knew that the - hardlhips of the voyage
were drawing to ah end. Indeed we looked upon ourfelves
as already fafe from perils, and the hope of revifit-
ing Europe, after many hazardous tracks - and narrow
Yon II. CL‘1 <1 efcapes,
1774«
November.
Thurfday 10.