Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 - No. 0291
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[Page 291]
Georges Land
atract the vermin from eating the colours. For that purpose yesterday tarr & molasses was mixt together but did not succeed the plate smeard with it was left on the outside of the tent to clean one of the Indians observing this took an opportunity when he thought that no one observd him to take some of this mixture up into his hand I saw & was curious to know for what use it was intended the gentleman had a large sore upon his backside to which this clammy liniament was applyd but with what success I never took the pains to enquire
Hercules gave us today a specimen of the musick of this countrey 4 people performd upon flutes which they sounded with one nostril while they stopd the other with their thumbs to these 4 more sang keeping very good time but during ½ an hour which we stayd with them they playd only one tune consisting of not more than 5 or 6 notes more I am inclind to think they have not upon their instruments which have only two stops
23. Mr Green & myself went today a little way upon the hills in order to see how the roads were Lycurgus went with us but complaind much in the ascent saying that it would kill him we found as far as we went possibly 3 miles exceeding good paths & at the farthest part of our walk boys bringing wood from the mountans which we look upon to be a sure proof that journey will be easy whenever we atempt to go higher
in our return I visited the Tomb or Bier in which was deposited the body of the man who was shot I lifted up the cloth & saw part of the body already dropping to peices with putrefaction about him &