Vj c Z cook's second voyage dec. 



They were ready enough to part with those they had 

 to our people ; which they hardly would have done, 

 had they not known where to have got more. 

 In short, of all the nations I have seen, the Pecheras 

 are the most wretched. They are doomed to live in 

 one of the most inhospitable climates in the world, 

 without having sagacity enough to provide themselves 

 with such conveniences as may render life in some 

 measure more comfortable. 



Barren as this country is, it abounds with a variety 

 of unknown plants, and gave sufficient employment 

 to Mr. Forster and his party. The tree which pro- 

 duceth the Winter's bark, is found herein the woods, 

 as is the holly-leaved barberry, and some other 

 sorts which I know not, but I believe are common 

 in the Straits of Magalhaens. We found plenty of 

 a berry which we called the cranberry, because they 

 are nearly of the same colour, size, and shape. It 

 grows on a bushy plant, has a bitterish taste, rather 

 insipid ; but may be eaten either raw or in tarts, and 

 is used as food by the natives. 



