Letter received by Banks from Rev. George Ashby, 4 January 1772 (Series 06.100) - No. 0002

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Dalrymple 2.78  A very large man having a S. Thomas's arm. & this arm monstrously swelled. like the swoln thighs or legs of natives of Cochin, where I think are the Christians of S. Thomas.  The endemial disorder thought to be occasion'd by the water they drink.  The Indians appear to me greatest in their naval Inventions. Flying proa of Ladrones. double boats in Dalrymple. 1.195 (a contrivance Sir W. Petty valued himself upon) [Balzar?] of S. Americans.  Boats of Eskimaux. The very springty Author of Kercherches phil. &c 263, robbs poor Voltaire of his favorite nipple prob.ly nothing but dirt which with the Caffer appears in all his works: & which last we have now reason to believe is a fiction.  If Mr. Banks has not seen this writer, one would venture to recommend him, as his very blunders will divert. as p. 291 Sir. Fr. Drake - eat up alive by Crabs. 294. Raleigh