NEW SOUTH WALES, 
in which they make their new canoes, and large parties ' 
were known to be in the woods for that purpofe. 
A few days after this examination, Governor Phillip 
himfelf went again to explore the coalt between Port 
Jackfon and Botany Bay. In this journey few of the 
natives were feen, but new proofs were obferved of 
their having been diftrefTed for food. In the preceding 
fummer they would not eat either the fliark or the fling- 
ray, but now even coarfer meat was acceptable, and 
indeed any thing that could afford the fmalleft nouriili- 
ment. A young whale had juft been driven upon the 
coafl, which they were bufily employed in carrying 
away. All that were feen at this time had large pieces 
of it, which appeared to have been laid upon the fire 
only long enough to fcorch the outiide. In this ftate they 
always eat their fi(h, never broiling it for more than 
a few minutes ; they broil alfo the fern root, and ano- 
ther root, of v/hich the plant is not yet known ; and 
they ufually eat together in families. Among the fruits 
ufed by them is a kind of wild fig ; and they eat alfo 
the kernels of that fruit which refembles a pine-apple. 
The latter, when eaten by fome of the French feamen, 
occafioned violent retchings ; poflibly the natives may 
remove the noxious qualities, by fome procefs like thofe 
employed upon the caiiada. The winter months, in 
which fifh is very fcarce upon the coaft, are June, July, 
Augufl, 
