CHAPTER VII 

 PLANT COLLECTORS, ETC. 



WHEN Banks, in May, 1771, was on his 

 voyage home from the South Seas with 

 Captain Cook, the Endeavour stopped at 

 St. Helena ; and the naturalists made good 

 use of their opportunity for studying the resources of 

 the island. In the three days of their stay a great deal 

 of useful information was gathered. Indeed, their active 

 habits of observation must have had a strong impulse, 

 as the reader will see who turns to the last chapter of 

 Banks's Journal. There is scarcely a better account of 

 St. Helena in existence. 



One of Banks's acquaintances there was Daniel 

 Corneille, an officer of the East India Company. This 

 was one of the many men who were incited by his example. 

 Early in 1787, Corneille returned to England for good, 

 after twenty-three years' service with the Company ; 

 the latter part of this period having been devoted to the 

 study of Natural History. It was long before it occurred 

 to him to communicate with Mr. Banks ; but as years 

 rolled on, and rumours of Banks's renown which he 

 would hear from passing ships reached his ears, he ven- 

 tured upon claiming old acquaintanceship. He sent a 

 dried fish, which he could not recognize ; and thought it 

 might be worthy of a place with Banks's other natural 

 curiosities. 



Banks must have written a cordial reply to this letter. 

 Corneille responded at some length, with an account of 



in 



