To once more sail the seas with Capt. Cook, and again discover islands which are now visited weekly by ocean liners; to reperuse in current literature a description of the manners and customs of native races who are now either improved off the face of the earth, or vulgarized by the veneer of an unreal civilization, we thought impossible. Cook's 'Voyages' are now principally consulted by the ethnologist, or by those readers of light and leisure who still care to study the makings of the Greater Britain. We therefore owe a debt of gratitude to Sir Joseph Hooker for having taken us back to the geographical discoveries of some hundred years ago by publishing the journals of Sir Joseph Banks, written when as naturalist he accompanied Capt. Cook in the 'Endeavour' voyage of 1768–71.
Banks belonged to those select few who combine an ardent love of science with ample pecuniary means, and he proved a true patron of natural history. Thus we are told that when he decided to avail himself of the opportunity of exploring the then unknown Pacific Ocean,—"at his own expense, stated by Ellis to be £10,000, he furnished all the stores needed to make complete collections in every branch of natural science, and engaged Dr. Solander, four draughtsmen or artists, and a staff of servants (or nine in all) to accompany him."
Most of the zoological observations recorded relate to animals which are very much better known now than then, but they are always interesting and sometimes almost fresh. Thus we learn that the Albatross devours Physaliæ, of which "an Albatross that I had shot discharged a large quantity, incredible as it may appear that an animal should feed upon this blubber, whose innumerable stings give a much more acute pain to a hand which touches them than nettles."
Although in those days the zoologist experienced the greatest surprises when these expeditions returned with their natural history collections, he had still to be regaled with some "traveller's tales." Thus, while at New Zealand and while drawing on shore, Mr. Sporing "saw a most strange bird fly over his head. He described it as being about as large as a Kite, and brown like
