OF LA PEROUSE. 



339 



thofe Cocoa-nut treeSj that they had been Oruck 

 by lightning ; tlieie people haci been witncires 

 of the fa(5l, and they told me that the fame thing 

 happened on a great many otlier heights in the 

 ifland. In fadt, thofe tall trees, thus inful.ited, 

 arc particularly expofed to the terrible eflects of 

 lightning; befides, the abundant fap with 

 which they are filled contributes not a little to 

 attract the eleClric matter. 



On the 15th of April we learnt, that in a 

 fliort time a packet was to fail from Batavia for 

 Europe. The Governor of Samarang v/as 

 pleafcd to allow- two of us to wait upon the- 

 regency of Batavia, in order to aik for a pafTage 

 on board of this velTel. We all equally burned 

 with impatience to revifit our country ; biit it 

 was neccffary that chance lliould decide the 

 matter. The lot fell to Citizens Riche and 

 Legrand, and on the 6th of May they fet olf 

 for Batavia. 



On the i8thj twelve days after, the Governor 

 of Samarang direcled us to repair to the fume 

 place, where, in order to return to France, v. e 

 were to wait till there v/as another opportunity 

 than that of the packet which I iiavc juH: men- 

 tioned; for it was even very doubtful whethcr 

 Riche and Legrand would find room on board 

 of her. 



Several Dutchmen who took an mtcrefl about 

 z 2 u$. 



