[152] Birds which are strong-flavoured are rendered edible by stripping off their skin.
[153] Fucus giganteus.—In the voyage of the Adventure and Beagle it was found firmly rooted in twenty fathoms, yet streaming fifty feet upon the surface.
[154] The narrowest part is in Crooked Reach, a little to the westward of St. Jerome point: here the strait is about one mile across.
[155] This was probably the opening into Otway water, leading to Sky-ring water, but not disemboguing into the Pacific.
[156] The teredo navalis is very destructive. Nothing but metal is proof against its ravages. It is not clear what may be its purpose in boring into any wood that comes in its way, for it is thought not to be nourished by what it destroys.
[157] These inventions have been improved upon by the use of copper and other metals; of these, copper is the best; and an approved method of applying it, is over a coating of felt. Truly there is nothing new under the sun.
[158] Taken astayes—another term for taken aback.
[159] It is possible that the natives may have been aware of the coming change. The suspicion entertained of them is an instance of the mistakes often fallen into by misconceiving the motives of those whose language cannot be understood.
[160] To hull, is to lie without sail set; to try, with only low sail; whence we have now special storm sails, called try sails. We believe the correct expression is “to try” either a hull or under sail.
[161] To assay—to prove. Ancient mode of writing essay.