which the parrots frequently feed upon, notwithſtanding the hardneſs of the ſhell which ſurrounds it.
The moſt common ſhrub in theſe low grounds was a new ſpecies of the embothrium, remarkable for the hardneſs of its leaves. Theſe leaves are of an oval form, three inches in length and one in breadth.
We followed a very difficult path, in order to arrive at the place where our men were taking in water. Night overtook us before we had finiſhed more than half our journey, and to add to our misfortunes, a very high wind from the weſt brought with it ſuch a heavy rain, that we were obliged, like the ſavages of New Holland, to ſeek for ſhelter in hollow trunks of trees. We had reaſon to apprehend that the ſignals we made for a boat to come to fetch us, would be rendered uſeleſs by the rainy weather, and were beginning to make preparations for paſſing a very unpleaſant night in the midſt of the foreſt; when we heard the voices of ſome ſailors who were ſent to fetch us on board.
They had at length ſucceeded in extricating the anchor to which the chain that was broken on the 25th of April had been faſtened. The drag had been uſed in vain as the chain was ſunk too deep into the mud. The hold of the anchor in
the
