their canoes, when they were convinced of the truth of his
account respecting the power of the strangers.

On the 19th a large inlet was entered, in which the ship brought up.
Immediately natives came off, who said that they had heard of the
strangers from Toiava. One young man introduced himself as his
grandson, and received several presents. They also addressed Tupia by
name, showing that they had heard of the English from their friends.
The commander and his usual companions proceeded in the boats nine miles
up the inlet, which they discovered terminated in a river. This they
entered with the flood, and found fresh water three miles from the
mouth. Here they saw a large village on a sand-bank entirely surrounded
by mud, probably considered a sufficient protection from their enemies.
They were particularly struck by the great size of the pine trees which
grew on the banks. One measured nineteen feet eight inches in girth at
the height of six feet from the ground. From the root to the first
branch it was eighty-nine feet, and as straight as an arrow, tapering
very little in proportion to its height. It probably contained, by the
captain's computation, three hundred and sixty-six cubic feet of solid
timber. Others still larger were seen. A small one was cut down, and
found to be similar to the pitch pine, too heavy for masts, but the
carpenter was of opinion that, by tapping, the wood would be lightened,
and that then the trees would make the finest masts in the world. These
trees were the celebrated Kauri pine, from which a valuable gum is
extracted. It also makes very fine planking. This tree, the flax
plant, and the gigantic fern are among the characteristic productions of
New Zealand.

The name of the Thames was given to the river explored. The natives in
the neighbourhood behaved in the most friendly manner; but while the
commander and Dr Solander were on shore, and Mr Banks with Tupia and
some of the natives were below, a lad took possession of a half-minute
glass from the binnacle. Mr Hicks, who was commanding officer, ordered
the lad to be triced up and a dozen lashes given to him. His countrymen
interfered, and called for their arms from the canoes alongside. In
vain Mr Banks, hearing the noise, and coming on deck, expostulated with
the lieutenant. Tupia at length pacified the natives by explaining what
was to happen, and allowed the punishment to proceed. As soon as it was
over, an old man,