Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0022
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[Page 22]
18.
Searching for the Southern continent
7. This morn the Land plainly seen from the deck appears to be very large about 11. a large smoak was seen & soon after several more sure sign of inhabitants after dinner dropd calm myself in little boat shot Nectris munda & Procellaria velox took with the dipping net Dagysa gemma & a good deal of Fucus sertularia &c, the examination of which is postpond till we shall have more time than we are likely to have at present.
in the Evening a pleasant breeze at sunset all hands at the mast head Land still distant 7 or 8 leagues appears larger than ever in many parts 3. 4. & 5 ranges of hills are seen one over the other and a chain of Mountains over all some of which appear enormously high Much difference of opinion & many conjectures about Islands rivers inlets &c. but all hands seem to agree that this is certainly the Continent we are in search of if so
8. This morn the land very near us makes in many white cliffs like chalk the hills are in general clothd with trees in the valleys some appear to be very large the whole of the appearance not so fruitfull as we could wish stood in for a large bay in hopes of finding a harbour before we are well within the