58 MEMOIR OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 



compelled to pass the night on shore. A seaman and a black 

 servant who accompanied them fell victims to the excessive 

 fatigue and cold ; and it was with considerable difficulty that 

 Dr. Solander was rescued from a similar fate. Indeed the 

 ultimate escape and safety of the party was attributed to the 

 energy and presence of mind which Sir Joseph displayed 

 under the very trying circumstances in which they were 

 placed. 



In proceeding from thence, many valuable acquisitions were 

 made of ornithological specimens, and it is particularly re- 

 corded that Sir Joseph Banks in the course of one day killed as 

 many as sixty- two birds with his own hand, of which number 

 a great proportion had till then been undescribed. 



The expedition arrived at Otaheite in April 1 769. They 

 remained there three months, and Sir JosephBanks, on ac- 

 count of his many useful and agreeable qualities, became a 

 general favourite. His energetic character again displayed 

 itself in many instances, particularly in recovering the qua- 

 drant which had been stolen by some of the natives, and the 

 loss of which would have proved of very serious consequence 

 to the main object of the expedition. 



From Otaheite they proceeded to New Zealand, and to the 

 eastern coast of New Holland, which they called New South 

 Wales. The well known name of Botany Bay was also given 

 by them, in consequence of the numerous botanical speci- 

 mens collected there by Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander. 

 Whilst at New South Wales a very mortifying accident oc- 

 curred, which destroyed a great part of the valuable and 

 interesting collection, in obtaining which so much time and 

 labour had been expended. The vessel struck upon a rock, 

 and was considerably damaged; and afterwards, whilst under- 

 going repair, still further mischief was occasioned by the 

 rushing in of the sea. It may readily be conceived how 

 acutely these disasters were felt by the subject of our present 

 memoir. 



The expedition afterwards sailed for New Guinea, and 

 on their return touched at Batavia, where a great part of the 

 crew perished from fever. In June 1771 the vessel arrived 

 in the Downs, and Sir Joseph Banks was welcomed home 

 by numerous friends and admirers of his public and scientific 

 character. He received from all the celebrated literary cha- 

 racters, and from the public in general, the respect due to 

 his talents and his energy. 



Another expedition was projected under Captain Cook in - 

 1772, in search of the Southern continent; and Sir Joseph 

 Banks made great preparations, and intended to have again 



