f
cultivating the breadfruit tree at Otaheite; but was always answered that
they never planted it. This indeed must be evident to everyone who will
examine the places where the young trees come up. It will be always
observed that they spring from the roots of the old ones which run along
near the surface of the ground. So that the breadfruit trees may be
reckoned those that would naturally cover the plains, even supposing that
the island was not inhabited, in the same manner that the white-barked
trees, found at Van Diemen's Land, constitute the forests there. And from
this we may observe that the inhabitant of Otaheite, instead of being
obliged to plant his bread, will RATHER be under the necessity of
preventing its progress; which I suppose is sometimes done to give room
for trees of another sort, to afford him some variety in his food. Volume
2 page 145.

IN THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

The breadfruit trees are planted, and flourish with great luxuriance, on
rising grounds. Where the hills rise almost perpendicularly in a great
variety of peaked forms, their steep sides and the deep chasms between
them are covered with trees, amongst which those of the breadfruit were
observed particularly to abound. Volume 3 pages 105 and 114, containing
Captain King's Narrative.

The climate of the Sandwich Islands differs very little from that of the
West India Islands, which lie IN THE SAME LATITUDE. Upon the whole
perhaps it may be rather more temperate. Captain King ib page 116.

The breadfruit trees thrive in these islands, not in such abundance, but
produce double the quantity of fruit they do on the rich plains of
Otaheite. The trees are nearly of the same height, but the branches begin
to strike out from the trunk much lower, and with greater luxuriance.
Captain King ib page 120.

CHAPTER 2.

Departure from England.
Arrival at Tenerife.
Sail from thence.
Arrival off Cape Horn.
Severity of the Weather.
Obliged to bear away for the Cape of Good Hope.

1787. December. Sunday 23.

On Sunday morning the 23rd of December 1787 we sailed from Spithead and,
passing through the Needles, directed our course down channel with a
fresh gale of wind at east. In the afternoon one of the seamen, in
furling the main-top-gallant-sail, fell off the yard and was so fortunate
as to save himself by catching hold of the main-top-mast-stay in his
fall. At night the wind increased to a strong gale with a heavy sea.

Tuesday 25.

It mode