VOYAGE TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 65 



" tant places, which may serve to increase our stock 

 " of natural knowledge. From the same source of 

 " information we have learned that the phenomenon, 

 " usually called the aurora borealis is not peculiar 

 " to high northern latitudes, but belongs equally to 

 " all cold climates, whether they be north or south. 



" But perhaps no part of knowledge has been so 

 " great a gainer by the late voyages, as that of 

 "botany. We are told # that, at least twelve huu- 

 " dred new plants have been added to the known 

 " system ; and that very considerable additions have 

 " been made to every other branch of natural history, 

 " by the great skill and industry of Sir Joseph Banks, 

 " and the other gentlemen t who have accompanied 

 " Captain Cook for that purpose." 



To our naval officers in general, or to their learned 

 associates in the expeditions, all the foregoing im- 

 provements of knowledge may be traced ; but there 

 is one very singular improvement indeed, still behind, 

 for which, as we are solely indebted to Captain Cook, 

 let us state it in his own words : " Whatever may be 

 " the public judgment about other matters, it is with 

 " real satisfaction, and without claiming any merit 

 " but that of attention to my duty, that I can con- 

 " elude this account with an observation, which facts 

 " enable me to make, that our having discovered the 

 " possibility of preserving health amongst a numer- 

 " ous ship's company, for such a length of time, 

 " in such varieties of climate, and amidst such con- 

 " tinued hardships and fatigues, will make this 



* See Dr. Shepherd's Preface, as above. 



f Dr. Solander, Dr. Foster and his son, and Dr. Sparman. 

 Dr. Foster has given us a specimen of the botanical discoveries 

 of his voyage in the Characteres Generitm Plantarum, &c. ; and 

 much curious philosophical matter is contained in his Observations 

 made on a Voyage round the World. Dr. Sparman also, on his 

 return to Sweden, favoured us with a publication, in which he 

 expatiates on the advantages accruing to natural history, to as- 

 tronomy, geography, general physic, and navigation, from our 

 South-Sea voyages. 



VOL. V. F 



