THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
fcorbutic plants, and yet differs materially from the whole 
tribe; fo that we looked upon it as a production entirely ; 
peculiar to the place. We eat it frequently raw, and 
found it almoft like the New Zealand fcurvy-grafs. But it 
feemed to acquire a rank flavour by being boiled; which, 
however, fome of our people did not perceive, and efteemed 
it good. If it could be introduced into our kitchen gardens, 
it would, in all probability, improve fo far by cultivation, 
as to be an excellent pot-herb. At this time, none of its 
feeds were ripe enough to be preferved, and brought home, 
to try the experiment. 
Two other fmall plants were found near the brooks and 
boggy places, which were eaten as fallad; the one almoft 
like garden creffes, and very fiery; and the other very mild. 
This laft, though but fmall, is in itfelf a curiofity; having 
not only male and female, but what the botanifts call an¬ 
drogynous plants. 
A coarfe grafs, which we cut down for the cattle, grows 
pretty plentifully in a few fmall fpots about the fides of the 
harbour, with a fmaller fort which is rarer; and, upon 
the flat ground, a fort of goofe-grafs, and another fmall 
plant much like it. In fhort, the whole catalogue of plants 
does not exceed fixteen or eighteen, including fome forts of 
mofs, and a beautiful fpecies of lichen , which grows upon 
the rocks, higher up than the reft of the vegetable produc¬ 
tions. Nor is there even the leaft appearance of a fhrub in 
the whole country. 
Nature has rather been more bountiful in furnifhing it 
with animals; though, ftridtly fpeaking, they are not inha^- 
bitants of the place, being all of the marine kind ; and, in 
general, only uftng the land for breeding, and for a refting- 
place. 
85 
1776. 
December. 
