474 



HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



had also totally subverted the theory according to which the 

 existence of a Southern continent was necessary to preserve an 

 equilibrium between the Northern and Southern hemispheres ; for 

 it had already proved the presence of sufficient water to render 

 the Southern hemisphere too light, even if all the rest should be 

 land. 



The vessel left New Zealand on the 31st of March, sailing 

 due west, and, on the 18th of April, Mr. Hicks, the first lieu- 

 tenant, discovered land directly in the ship's path. This was 

 the most southerly point of New Holland, and was called, from 

 its discoverer, Point Hicks. Cook followed the coast for many 

 days to the northward ; and it was only on the third that he 

 learned, from ascending smoke, that the country was inhabited. 

 On the thirteenth, he saw a party of natives walking briskly 

 upon the shore. These subsequently retired, leaving the defence 

 of the coast to two persons of very singular appearance. Their 

 faces had been dusted with a white powder, and their bodies 

 painted with broad streaks of the same color, which, passing 

 obliquely over their breasts and backs, looked not unlike the 

 cross-belts worn by civilized soldiers : the same kind of streaks 

 were also drawn round their legs and thighs, like broad garters. 

 Each of them held in his hand a weapon two feet and a half 

 long. The landing party detached by Cook numbered forty 

 men ; and one of the musketeers was ordered to show the two 

 champions the folly of resistance, by lodging a charge of small 

 shot in their legs. The wooders and waterers then went ashore, 

 and with some difficulty obtained the necessary supplies. 



Early in May, Cook landed at a spot to which, from a casual 

 circumstance, he gave the name of Botany Bay, — a name now 

 famous the world over. Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander collected 

 here large quantities of plants, flowers, and branches of unknown 

 trees ; and it was this incident that furnished the pastoral appel- 

 lation to the Retreat for Transported Criminals. They found 

 the woods filled with birds of the most exquisite beauty ; the 



