OCT. 1770 MILLE ISLANDS 365 



English, French, and Dutch, regularly signed in the name 

 of the Governor. These he desired we would give written 

 answers to, which he told us would be sent express to 

 Batavia, where they would arrive to-morrow at noon. He 

 had in the boat turtle and eggs, of which latter he sold a 

 few for somewhat less than a penny apiece, and then went 

 away. 



The day was spent as usual in getting up and letting 

 down the anchor. At night, however, we were very near 

 Bantam Point. 



8th. At eight Dr. Solander and I went ashore on a 

 small islet belonging to the Mille Isles, not laid down in 

 the draught, lying five miles N". by E. from Pulo Bedroe. 

 The whole was not above 500 yards long, and 100 broad, 

 yet on it was a house and a small plantation, in which, 

 however, at this time was no plant from whence any profit 

 could be derived, except Eicinus palma Cfiristi, of which 

 castor -oil is made in the "West Indies, Upon the shoal, 

 about a quarter of a mile from the island, were two people 

 in a canoe, who seemed to hide themselves as if afraid of 

 us ; we supposed them to be the inhabitants of our island. 

 We found very few species of plants, but shot a bat, whose 

 wings measured three feet when stretched out (Vesp. vam- 

 pyrus), and four plovers exactly like our English golden 

 plover (Charadrius pluvialis). With these and the few 

 plants we returned, and very soon after a small Indian 

 boat came alongside, having in her three turtles, some dried 

 fish, and pumpkins. We bought his turtles, which weighed 

 altogether 146 Ibs., for a dollar, with which bargain he 

 seemed well pleased, but could scarce be prevailed upon to 

 take any other coin for his pumpkins, after desiring that we 

 would cut a dollar and give him a part. At last, however, 

 a petack, shining and well -coined, tempted him to part 

 with his stock, which consisted of twenty-six. He told us 

 that the island, called in most draughts Pulo Bali, was 

 really called Pulo Sounda, and that called Pulo Bedroe, Pulo 

 Payon. At parting he made signs that we should not tell 

 at Batavia that any boat had been on board us. 



