Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0665
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[Page 665]
561.
Some account of the Cape of Good Hope
firewood as almost equal to that of provisins nothing being burnt here but roots which must be dug out of the ground what indeed proves the influence of the wind in prejudice to vegetation is that
[Margin note] Stem
a stem not thicker than my thumb will have a root as thick as my arm or leg & thicker they never are
as their distant settlements are directly inland & the whole coast either is or is thought to be totaly destitute of Harbours their whole Communication is carried on by Land carriage Waggons drawn by Oxen are employd in that service they are however very light & the Cattle so much more nimble than ours in Europe that they assurd us that they sometimes traveld at the rate of 8 miles an hour traveling is also very cheap: as there are no inns upon the road every one must carry his own provision with him & the Oxen must live upon the Heath or ling which they meet with upon the road & this indeed they are