Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0558
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 558]
454
Some account of Batavia
he did for 10, but said he I dare not do it, for should it be known that I did, I should be look'd upon in the same light, as one in Europe, who coverd his table with offals fit for nothing but Beggars or dogs. Turtle is also here in abundance, but despisd by Europeans indeed, for what reason I know not it it is neither so sweet, or so fat, as our West India Turtle even in England.
[Margin note] Lizard
they have also a kind of Large Lizards or Iguanas Iguanas, some of which are said to be as thick as a mans thigh, I shot one about 5 feet long & it provd very good meat.
Poultrey is prodigiously plentifull, very large fowls, ducks also & Geese are cheap, pidgeons are rather dear, &Turkies extravagant, in general what we eat at Batavia were Lean & dry, but this I am convinc'd proceeds from being ill fed, as I have eat there of every kind, as good, or better, than commonly met with in Europe