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 Ricinus palma Christi, 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 lbs., 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 Babi, 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. 
