In August, 1769, the Endeavour sailed from the last isle of the group. In October they made New Zealand, which had not been visited since Tasman’s voyage. They next sailed to New Holland, chiefly along the East coast, and gave the name of New South Wales to the adjacent territory. The ship here struck upon a rock, and was saved only by extraordinary skill. In laying her down for repairs the sea broke in, and spoiled the greater part of Mr. Banks’s specimens of natural history: but he was recompensed by the discovery of the kangaroo. In August, 1770, they sailed for New Guinea. On their homeward voyage, their short stay at Batavia was nearly fatal to the expedition. Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander caught the fever. Tupia, a priest, and a boy named Tayeto, both from Otaheite, who were proceeding to England, died. Every person of the crew but one was taken ill. Seven died at Batavia, and twenty-three more within six weeks after. On the 12th of June, 1771, the vessel anchored in the downs. Early in 1772 an expedition was prepared under the command of Captain Cook, to proceed in search of the so much talked of Southern Continent, in which Mr. Banks most anxiously took a part, intending to perform the voyage; and he accordingly prepared his establishment upon the most extensive scale. On this account orders were given by the Admiralty for fitting the ships out with every possible accommodation that Mr. Banks could desire; but when the Resolution sailed from Long Reach for Plymouth, she was found so very crank, from the additional upper works, that she was obliged to be carried into Sheerness to have the additional cabins cut away, with such other alterations as were necessary to make her sea-worthy. This of course struck at the very root of Mr. Banks’s project, in curtailing him of the space and accommodation absolutely necessary for the establishment which he had formed; and he was reluctantly compelled to give up his plans. Disappointed in this expedition, Mr. Banks was prompted to engage in some other active research, and accordingly determined on a voyage to Iceland and the western islands of Scotland; partly for the purpose of scientific observation, and, as Van Troil states, who accompanied him, in order to keep together and employ the draughtsmen, and other persons, who had been engaged for the South Sea expedition. They sailed from the river in July, and called at Portsmouth, thence to Plymouth, and proceeded up St. George’s Channel, to the Western Islands, visiting Oransay, Columbkill, Scarba, and Staffa, so remarkable for its basaltic columns, but until then comparatively unknown. They passed the Orkneys and Shetland islands without any particular investigation; and on the 28th of August, 1772, arrived off the coast of Iceland. After completely investigating every thing curious, they left Iceland, and arrived at Edinburgh in November, from whence they set off by land for London.