Bay is one of the finest places in New Zealand, for a crew to touch at in such a situation as that of his companions.  The land about Cape Traveller appeared low and sandy near the shore, but rising into high snow-capt mountains interiorly.  In one respect, according to this gentleman, Queen Charlotte’s Sound has greatly the advantage of Dusky Bay, viz. its abounding in salutary vegetables.  This it no doubt owes to the superior mildness of the climate, which is represented as highly favourable to botanical pursuits.  The tea-tree and spruce, as they were called, were found here in great plenty, as well as at Dusky Bay; besides several species of plants in flower, which had not been seen before.  The hills consisted chiefly of argillaceous stone, running in oblique strata, commonly dipping a little towards the south, of a greenish-grey, or bluish, or yellowish-brown colour, sometimes containing veins of white quartz, and sometimes a green talcous or nephritic stone, which, as it was capable of a good polish from its hardness, the natives used for chissels, &c.  Mr F. specifies several other mineral substances found in this neighbourhood, particularly argillaceous strata of a rusty colour, which is inferred to contain iron, and a black compact and ponderous basalt, of which the natives form their pattoo-pattoos.  It is unnecessary to make remarks on the subjects now mentioned, as they must be resumed in our account of Cook’s third voyage, where we shall have to consider Mr Anderson’s report respecting them and other topics, with greater attention, than was required for the present imperfect though valuable notices.—­E.

SECTION IX.

Route from New Zealand to Otaheite, with an Account of some low Islands, supposed to be the same that were seen by M. de Bougainville.

On the 7th of June, at four in the morning, the wind being more favourable, we unmoored, and at seven weighed and put to sea, with the Adventure in company.  We had no sooner got out of the sound, than we found the wind at south, so that we had to ply through the straits.  About noon the tide of ebb setting out in our favour, made our boards advantageous; so that, at five o’clock in the evening.  Cape Palliser, on the island of Eahei-nomauwe, bore S.S E. 1/2 S., and Cape Koamaroo, or the S.E. point of the sound, N by W. 3/4 W.; presently after it fell calm, and the tide of flood now making against us, carried us at a great rate back to the north.  A little before high-water, the calm was succeeded by a breeze from the north, which soon increased to a brisk gale.  This, together with the ebb, carried us by eight o’clock the next morning quite through the strait.  Cape Palliser at this time bore E.N.E., and at noon N. by W. distant seven leagues.[1]

This day at noon, when we attended the winding-up of the watches, the fusee of Mr Arnold’s would not turn round, so that after several unsuccessful trials we were obliged to let it go down.