ered some fern-roots,
which I thought might be good roasted, as a substitute for bread, but it
proved a very poor one: it however was very good in its natural state to
allay thirst, and on that account I directed a quantity to be collected
to take into the boat. Many pieces of cocoa-nut shells and husk were
found about the shore, but we could find no cocoa-nut trees, neither did
I see any like them on the main.

[Sidenote: 1789. MAY 29.]

I had cautioned every one not to touch any kind of berry or fruit that
they might find; yet they were no sooner out of my sight than they
began to make free with three different kinds, that grew all over the
island, eating without any reserve. The symptoms of having eaten too
much, began at last to frighten same of them; but on questioning others,
who had taken a more moderate allowance, their minds were a little
quieted. The others, however, became equally alarmed in their turn,
dreading that such symptoms would come on, and that they were all
poisoned, so that they regarded each other with the strongest marks of
apprehension, uncertain what would be the issue of their imprudence.
Happily the fruit proved wholesome and good. One sort grew on a small
delicate kind of vine; they were the size of a large gooseberry, and
very like in substance, but had only a sweet taste; the skin was a pale
red, streaked with yellow the long way of the fruit: it was pleasant and
agreeable. Another kind grew on bushes, like that which is called the
sea-side grape in the West Indies; but the fruit was very different, and
more like elder-berries, growing in clusters in the same manner. The
third sort was a black berry, not in such plenty as the others, and
resembled a bullace, or large kind of sloe, both in size and taste.
Seeing these fruits eaten by the birds made me consider them fit for
use, and those who had already tried the experiment, not finding any bad
effect, made it a certainty that we might eat of them without danger.

Wild pigeons, parrots, and other birds, were about the summit of the
island, but, as I had no fire-arms, relief of that kind was not to be
expected, unless I met with some unfrequented spot where we might take
them with our hands.

[Sidenote: 1789. MAY 29.]

On the south side of the island, and about half a mile from the well, a
small run of water was found; but, as its source was not traced, I know
nothing more of it.

The shore of this island is very rocky, except the pa