ed ample instructions from the Council of the Royal Society, on the best method of conducting their inquiries. Capt. Wallis having returned from his voyage round the world, a little before the Endeavour sailed, at his suggestion, the island of Otaheite, which he had discovered and named George Island, was fixed on as the best spot for observing the transit of Venus.
But there were other scientific gentlemen, whose presence and services our navigator enjoyed. He was accompanied by Joseph Banks, Esq., afterwards Sir Joseph Banks, Bart.; who with laudable zeal devoted his time, talents, and property, to the pursuits of science, especially in the department of natural history. This gentleman, who possessed a considerable estate in Lincolnshire, had, after leaving the university of Oxford, crossed the Atlantic in 1763, to study nature on the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador; and the perils of t hat voyage having no way damped his enthusiasm in the prosecution of his favourite studies, he deemed it a privilege to accompany Mr. Cook in this honourable expedition. Mr. Banks, at his own expense, engaged some other men of science, to participate in the labours and pleasures of the voyage. Of these the most distinguished was Dr. Solander, a Swedish gentleman, an eminent naturalist, who had been a pupil of the great Linnæus, and now had an appointment in the British Museum. Two artists were engaged, Mr. Buchan, and Mr. Parkinson; the former a good landscape painter, the latter skilful in the department of natural history. Mr. Banks was also attended by Mr. Sporing, his secretary; and by four servants, two of whom were men of colour.
Thus, the number of persons on board the
