124 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1821 - formed of sand and decayed vegetable matter, 
Dec. 24 . and clothed -with a thicket of fine plants in full 
flower, that would be much prized in any other 
place than where they were. The initials of the 
names of some of our people were still very per- 
fect upon the stem of a large banksia grandis, 
which, from being covered with its superb flow- 
ers, bore a magnificent and striking appearance. 
After an absence of an hour, our two friends 
returned, when it appeared that they had been 
at their toilet, for their noses and faces had evi- 
dently been fresh smeared over with red ochre, 
which they pointed out to us as a great orna- 
ment ; affording another proof that vanity is in- 
herent in human nature, and not merely the con- 
sequence of civilization. They had, however, 
put off the garments with which we had clothed 
them, and resumed their mantles. 
Each brought a lighted fire-stick in his hand, 
intending, as we supposed, to make a fire, and 
to pass the night near the vessel, in order to 
watch our intentions and movements. 
On returning on board, we desired the native 
who had remained behind to go ashore to his 
companions, but it was with great reluctance 
that he was persuaded to leave us. Whilst on 
board, our people had fed him plentifully with 
biscuit, yams, pudding, tea, and grog, of which 
