342 SIE JOSEPH BANKS. 



and of these bodies are likewise deducible from the 

 same angles. The whole structure of the planetary or 

 solar system thus depended upon ascertaining the angle 

 of parallax ; and nothing, therefore, could be more 

 becoming the rulers of two such kingdoms as France 

 and England, than to promote by every means the suc- 

 cess of these observations. While one expedition was 

 sent to the Pacific, Otaheite being the place chosen for 

 the experiment, Messrs. Dymond and Wales repaired 

 to Hudson's Bay, Mr. Call to Madras, and the Abbe de 

 la Chappe was sent to California. The Danish Govern- 

 ment sent Father Hell to Wardhus, near the North 

 Cape : the King of Sweden dispatched Planmann to 

 Caianeborg in Finland ; and the Empress of Russia sent 

 several observers to different parts of Siberia, with the 

 same views. Four of the observers those at Otaheite, 

 California, Hudson's Bay, and Wardhus were com- 

 pletely successful. The expedition to the Pacific had 

 for its principal, but not its only object, the observation 

 by Mr. Green of the transit. Everything that regarded 

 the natural history of the island fell within its scope ; 

 and the accurate survey of the coasts already known, 

 as well as the exploring of new lands, was an impor- 

 tant part of the wise and enlightened scheme. 



As soon as Mr. Banks found that the voyage to the 

 South Seas was resolved upon, be applied to his friend 

 Lord Sandwich, then at the head of the Admiralty, for 

 leave to join the expedition with a suite of scientific 

 men, and this was immediately granted. He made his 

 preparations on the most liberal and extensive scale, 

 worthy of his fortune and his zeal for the advancement 

 of natural knowledge. He took with him Dr. Solan- 

 der, the distinguished botanist already mentioned. He 

 likewise took two draftsmen and four servants ; and, as 

 the expedition was placed under the government of the 

 naval service, all who joined it became subject to its 

 rules and its discipline. 



The choice of Captain Cook, as commander, was 



