Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0378
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[Page 378]
274
Some account of New Holland
moderate season we doubtless might have taken any quantity. besides this all the shoals that were dry at half Ebb afforded plenty of fish that were left dry in small hollows of the rocks & a profusion of Large shell fish (Chama Gigas) such as dampier describes Vol III: p.191. the large ones of this kind had 10 or 15 lb of meat in them it was indeed rather strong but I beleive a very wholesome food & well relishd by the people in general. on different parts of the Coast were also found oysters which were said to be very well tasted the shells also of well sizd Lobsters & crabs were seen but these it was never our fortune to catch
Upon the whole New Holland tho in every respect the most barren countrey I have seen is not so bad but that between the productions of sea & Land a company of People who should have the misfortune of being shipwreckd upon it might support themselves even upon by the resources that we have seen undoubtedly a longer stay & visiting different parts would discover many more