The Bread-Fruit. 
67 
233. In the charming and bountiful fruit-gardens the beautiful 
bread-fruit trees ( Artocarpus inoisa and A. iuteyri folia) particularly 
attracted my attention, and 1 do not consider it out of place here to sup- 
ply a short sketch of its introduction from Asia and Islands of the Pacific 
to the West Indies. Although Captain Dampier had already in 1688 
brought to Europe the first reports concerning jthis tree, the information 
nevertheless passed unnoticed until Captain Cook's companion, the cel 
ebrated Dr. Solander, revived it in glowing terms. The idea of obtaining 
bread without any toil as Nature’s spontaneous gift sufficed to secure it 
general attention : subsequently it even inspired a Byron, Petitions 
were soon despatched from the West Indian Colonies to George III pray- 
ing that the tree should be introduced at the cost of the State into all 
the Colonies the climate of which allowed of its cultivation. 
231. Under Bligli, at that time Lieutenant, who had accompanied 
Captain Cook on his last expedition, the “Bounty”, a Government ship of 
215 tons burden, was put into commission to obtain young plants from 
Otaheiti. An ample space supplied with large hatchways and draughts 
was wholly set apart between decks for their reception and was at the 
same time packed with a number of large cases having double bottoms: 
the plants were to be placed in these while the superfluous water was 
to run off into the lower spaces, the roots being thus protected from 
stagnation. The ship managed to start on her journey to the Society 
Islands by the end of 1787. At Cape Horn contrary winds forced Lieut- 
enant Bligh to make for the Cape of Good Hope, and sail to the Islands 
via Australia: he finally reached them on lOtli October 1788. By 3rd 
April 1780, 1015 living plants had been set in the beds prepared for 
them on board ship, and next day the Bounty weighed anchor and turn- 
ed for home, 
235. On the 28th April however a mutiny that had already been 
hatched by the crew at Otaheiti broke out, Lieutenant Bligh was set upon 
in his sleep and gagged, and any one not wishing to join the mutineers 
ordered to stand alongside him. Of the forty-six forming the crew 
eighteen remained loyal, thirteen of whom, together with Lieutenant 
Bligh, were then forced to step in to the long-boat ’that was lowered into 
the water, four of them being kept back without any reason being offered 
Lieutenant Bligh says in his account of the mutiny, “People will ask 
me, what was the motive for this deed? I can but find the one and only 
reason that the mutineers probably flattered themselves that amongst 
the natives of Otaheiti they would spend a happier life than in England.” 
236. After supplying these fourteen outcasts with 150 lbs. bread, a 
few planks, some wine and rum, a quadrant and ship’s compass, the 
vessel turned about and left them to their fate. Inflexible and courageous 
the outcasts started on their voyage and fortunately reached Tofoa, one 
of the Friendly Islands, but the hostility of the natives induced them 
to put quickly to sea again. They soon made New Holland whence they 
turned to the Eastern Archipelago and after inexpressible hardships 
landed at the Island of Timor. The Dutch Governor rendered every 
assistance and arranged for both Bligh’s and his companions’ passage to 
