Annotations

Banks's Journal: Daily Entries

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1768 - Annotations 1. The birds were Oenanthe oenanthe, the Northern Wheatear, which migrate in winter to North Africa, and the southern coast regions of Portugal. [Return to page 17680905] 2. Cyclosalpa pinnata, a type of salp. Salp are are marine invertebrates that are found on the surface of the ocean, as individual organisms and in colonies. They tare especially common in in tropical and subtropical seas. [Return to page 17680905] 3. What Banks was actually describing were the solitary and aggregate forms of the same species of salp, Thetys vagina. [Return to page 17680906] 4. Vinhatico Persea indica, which in English is still called Madeira mahogany. [Return to page 17680917] 5. The Salvages are a group of small islands and rocks situated just north of the 30th parallel. [Return to page 17680921] 6. The work to which Banks refers is Sir Hans Sloane's Voyage to the islands Madera, Barbados, Nieves, S. Christophers and Jamaica with the Natural History of the Herbs and Trees, Four-Footed Beasts, Fishes, Birds, Insects, Reptiles & c. of the Last of Those Islands', Vol. I and II. (Vol. I: London: printed by B.M. for the author, 1707; Vol. II: London: printed for the author, 1725). Sloane was a physician, naturalist and omnivorous collector of 'curiosities'. He was secretary of the Royal Society from 1693 to 1712 and succeeded Sir Isaac Newton in 1727 as President of the Society, holding office until 1741. Sloane went to Jamaica in 1687 as physician to the colony's Governor, the Duke of Albemarle. Some fifteen months later he returned to London with over 800 specimens of plants which today are housed in the Natural History Museum (see http://www.nhm.ac.uk/botany/databases/sloane/aboutsloanedatabase.htm The fish Banks mentions is the Snake Mackerel (Gempylus serpens). Sloane's specimen is preserved by the Natural History Museum as MNHN A-0808 (dry). [Return to page 17680923] 7. In his edition of Bank's Journal (1962: 167), Beaglhole comments: 'The sulphur is understandable, but not the other substance, under Heberden's denomination. Natron is an obsolete word for salpetre or potassium nitrate; this is a salt which would dissolve in rain on top of a mountain. My colleague Professor A.D. Monro suggests that what Heberden collected was the mineral alunite, a whitish-looking basic alum, which would not so dissolve, and might be expected under the circumstances.' [Return to page 17680924] 8. Species of Wagtail, which are birds of the genus Motacilla. [Return to page 17680928] 9. A fisgig was a barbed spear used to catch fish. The name derives from the Spanish word for spear or harpoon, fisga. [Return to page 17680928] 10. Most likely Remora remora, the Remora or Shark Sucker, so called because this pelagic fish clings to sharks and turtles, feeding on parasites it finds on its host's body, as well as passing plankton and small fish. [Return to page 17680929] 11. Copepods are small, shrimp-like crustaceans that swim in seas, lakes, and ponds. The name means 'oar feet'. There are forty-six species of parasitic copepods that are to be found on species of fish of the Scombridae family. See Roger Cressey and Hillary Boyle Cressey, Parasitic Copepods of Mackerel-and Tuna-like Fishes (Scombridae) of the World (Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1980). Banks refers to Job Baster's Opuscula subseciva, observationes miscellaneas de animalculis et plantis quibusdam marinis, eorumque ovariis et seminibus continentia (Haarlem:Johannes Bosch, 1759-1765). Baster (1711-1775) was a Dutch physician who published various works of natural history. [Return to page 17681001] 12. The organism found near the intestinal membrane was a larval marine tapeworm; that near the stomach a species of marine flatworm (trematode). [Return to page 17681001] 13. Blank space left in manuscript. See Cook's entry in his journal for 3 October 1768 for information on winds. [Return to page 17681003] 14. Banks's Dagysa strumosa was the animal now classified as Thetys vagina; his Medusa porpita is now Porpita porpita (Blue Button Jellyfish); his Mimus volutator is now Glaucus atlanticus (Blue Sea Slug); and what he called Cimex was probably one of the five pelagic species of oceanic insects in the genus Halobates (Marine Skaters). [Return to page 17681004] 15. One of the species of fish known as Leatherjacket (Monacanthus). [Return to page 17681004] 16. The Portuguese man of war is now classified as Physalia physalia. The organism Banks calls Medusa vellela is now Velella velella (Sail-by-the-wind), while Onidium spinosum is now known as Cystisoma spinosum. The Diodon are the species of pufferfish and porcupine fish. The salp Dagsya vitrea is now called Diphyes dispar. The marine snails Helix Janthina and violacea are now Janthina janthina and J. globosa. [Return to page 17681007] 17. In his edition of Banks's journal, Beaglehole writes, 'The usual source of the famous Tyrian purple was Murex trunculus, an abundant littoral species in the Mediterranean. It is unlikely that Janthina was used for this purpose, since its appearance in that sea is only sporadic (1962: 171).' [Return to page 17681007] 18. Lepas vittata is commonly known as the Striped-stalked Barnacle; Lepas anatifera is the Goose Barnacle. [Return to page 17681009] 19. The black toed gull shot was an Arctic skua (Stercorarius parasiticus). Thomas Pennant (1726-98) published his British Zoology The British zoology. Class I. Quadrupeds. II. Birds. in 1766. [Return to page 17681010] 20. Blubbers was the name mariners gave various species of pelagic jellyfish. The pilot fish (Naucrates ductor) is also known as the rudder fish or shark pilot because it accompanies sharks and large rays. [Return to page 17681012] 21. The shark was probably a white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). [Return to page 17681012] 22. In his edition of Banks's journal, Beaglehole notes that the name 'Sallee-man' was the name given to Moorish pirate vessels preying on shipping out of the port of Sallee (1962:173). [Return to page 17681013] 23. These fish were most likely the Man of War fish (Nomeus gronovii). And if so, as Beaglehole notes, this was the first time that their symbiotic relationship with the Portuguese man of war was noted by European naturalists. [Return to page 17681013] 24. Probably a specimen of Fea's Petrel (Pterodroma feae). The bird was drawn by Parkinson, but the drawing has been lost. [Return to page 17681015] 25. Sea Chub (Kyphosus sectatrix), also known as the Bermuda Chub or Rudderfish. [Return to page 17681015] 26. From Banks's description it seems likely that this was a pod of Pilot Whales (Globicephala sp). [Return to page 17681022] 27. A marginal note, 'Piso p.5 ' appears in the Manuscript. See journal entry for 5 October 1768. [Return to page 17681025] 28. The Endeavour in fact passed some 60 nautical miles east of Fernando Noronha. [Return to page 17681028] 29. In his edition of Banks's journal, Beaglehole writes: 'This, odd as it may seem, is what Banks wrote, over something else, smudged, which appears to have been 9/10ths; and I think that 'nine-tenths' was probably what he meant, though his symbol is unknown to mathematicians.' (1962: 179) [Return to page 17681029] 30. Banks's Medusa pellucens was a species of Phacellophora (which include the Egg-yolk jellyfish). His Lepas pellucens has not been identified. His Cancer fulgens was possibly an immature euphausiid, the oragnism he calls Cancer amplectens was possibly a larval hermit crab (Beaglehole 1962: 180). [Return to page 17681030] 31. The first of these organisms were a stomatopod larva, and the second an amphipod of the species Scina. [Return to page 17681031] 32. Willem Piso (1611-1675) was personal physician to Prince Maurice of Nassau, whom he accompanied on a voyage to Brazil in 1636. At this time the Dutch were seeking to establish a colonial presence on the Brazillian coast. Piso was accompanied by a young German physician, Georg Marggraf (1610-1644). The outcomes of their researches was published as Historiae rerum naturalium Brasiliae, libri octo ... cum appendice de Tapuyis. Lisbon and Amsterdam, 1648. This book was the first European scientific study of the natural history of Brazil, and remained an important reference work until well into the nineteenth century. The work by Dampier referred to is his 'Discourse on the Trade Winds', which was first published in 1699, in the second volume of his New Voyage Round the World' (London: 1697). [Return to page 17681105] 33. Beaglhole writes of being informed by W.R. Taylor that 'the reference here is almost certainly to Trichodesmium thiebautii Gomont(1962: 182).' Trichodesmium thiebautii Gomont is a species of blue-green algae. [Return to page 17681107] 34. In Cook's day, mariners called Mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus) 'Dolphin'. This large metallic coloured predator is found in tropical and substropical waters throughout the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. They feed on small fish, juvenile tuna and mackerel and marine invertebrates. The Scomber referred to by Banks were probably Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi), and the Sea Bream a specimen of Pagrus pagrus. The 'Welshman' were Squirrel Fish (Holocentrus ascensionis). [Return to page 17681108] 35. Banks is referring to Cassava or Manioc (Manihot utilissima). A starchy flour is made from the root of this plant. [Return to page 17681108] 36. The 'Sphinx' to which Banks refers was a species of Sphingidae (Hawk Moth). The bird Loxia nitens is now known as Volatinia jacarina. Its common name is the Blue-black Grassquit. The works to which Banks refers are: George Edwards, A natural history of uncommon birds, and of some other rare and undescribed animals ... To which is added a ... general idea of drawing and painting in water colours; with instructions for etching on copper with Aqua Fortis: likewise some thoughts on the passage of birds, etc. (4 vols., London: 1743-1751); and Mathurin Jacques Brisson, Ornithologia, sive synopsis methodica sistens avium divisionem in ordines, sectiones, genera, species, ipsarumque varietates, etc. [Latin and French] (6 vols., Paris: 1760). [Return to page 17681108] 37. Bank's Scomber anxia were probably Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi), and the Scomber falcatus (Bluntnose jack) what is now known by the scientific name Caranx amblyrhynchus. Sparus pagrus (Seas Bream) are now called Pagrus pagrus, while 'Welshman' or Squirrel Fish - called by Banks Sciæna rubens now have to scientific name Holocentrus ascensionis. [Return to page 17681108] 38. This coastal view by Alexander Buchan is now British Library Add MS 15507, f. 1 (a). The view is fully described in David (ed.), The Charts and Coastal Views of Captain Cook's Voyages: Volume One... (London 1988: Hakluyt Society and Australian Academy of the Humanities), p. 10. [Return to page 17681109] 39. Seaweed of the genus Sargassum. The common name sargaso comes from the Spanish word for seaweed, sargazo. [Return to page 17681110] 40. The Balistes to which Banks refers was probably a species of Leatherjacket (Monacanthus), while the polychaete species of worm Nereis pelagica is still known by that scientific name. [Return to page 17681110] 41. In this entry Banks refers to C. Biron, Curiositez de la nature et de l'art aport'es dans deux voyages des Indes; l'un aux Indes d'Occident en 1698 & 1699 & l'autre aux Indes d'Orient en 1701 &1702 avec une relation abr&aecute;g&aecute;e de ces deux voyages( Paris: Moreau, 1703). As Beaglehole notes, 'Biron is an obscure figure, who come into none of the biographical dictionaries; even is Christian name seems to be unknown (1962: 185).' However, in October 2000, a copy of Biron's book was sold on which the title page had been annotated, 'par C.Biron, chirugien major.' [Return to page 17681112] 42. The Pilot fish that Banks knew as Beroe labiata now has the scientific name of Naucrates ductor. The jellyfish Banks knew as Medusa radiata is now called Aequorea forskalea. Beaglehole suggests that the jellyfish specimen Banks identified as Medusa fimbriata may have been a variety of Aequorea forskalea, and his Medusa chrystallina a species of Liriope. The Dagysa Beaglehole thinks might be Dagysa costata drawn by Parkinson and marked 'Rio Janeiro' - and as yet undentified (1962: 186). The three Scomber were Bluefish (Pomatus saltatrix) and the fish Banks called Clupea sinensis remains unidentified. [Return to page 17681113] 43. The Desembargador was a Portuguese crown official charged with policing customs. [Return to page 17681113] 44. Cook's problems with the Viceroy of Rio, Dom Antonio Rolim de Moura (1709-1782) are discussed at length by Beaglehole in the introduction to his edition of Cook's Journal, pp. cxxxviii-xl. [Return to page 17681114] 45. Drafts of Banks's memorial are to found in National Library of Australia, MS 9: Papers of Sir Joseph Banks, 1745-1923 (bulk1745-1820) Series 1: Subseries 2, http://www.nla.gov.au/cdview/nla.ms-ms9-2 [Return to page 17681117] 46. Compare Banks's comments here with those of Cook in his journal entry for 20 October 1768. [Return to page 17681119] 47. Willem Piso (1611-1675) was personal physician to Prince Maurice of Nassau, whom he accompanied on a voyage to Brazil in 1636. At this time the Dutch were seeking to establish a colonial presence on the Brazillian coast. Piso was accompanied by a young German physician, Georg Marggraf 1610-1644). The outcomes of their researches was published as Historiae rerum naturalium Brasiliae, libri octo ... cum appendice de Tapuyis. Lisbon and Amsterdam, 1648. This book was the first European scientific study of the natural history of Brazil, and remained an important reference work until well into the nineteenth century. [Return to page 17681126] 48. Beaglehole sought the advice of botanist L.B. Smith, who suggested Banks's Renealmiae were Tillandsia recurvata and Tillandsia usneoides. The tree that seemed to Banks a Karratas was thought by Smith to be of the genus Neoregelia, probably Neoregelia cruenta. The poinciana was most likely Poinciana pulcherrima, while the Mimosa sensitiva was one of several species of sensitive acacia, and the Clusia a species of Pereskia. The Rumphius mentioned by Banks was Georg Eberhard Rumpf (1627-1702), a German physician who joined the Dutch East India Company who settled at Amboina, where he compiled his Herbarium amboinense. plurimas conplectens arbores, frutices, herbas, plantas terrestres, & aquaticas, quae in Amboina et adjacentibus reperiuntur insulis .... nunc primum in lucem editit at in Latinum sermonem vertit Johannes Burmannus (Amsterdam: 1741-1755). For Banks's list of plants gathered at Rio ( Plantae Brasilienses) see Banks: Descriptions in the Journal of Places and Peoples encountered during the Endeavour Voyage. https://paulturnbull.org/project/southseas/journals/banks_remarks/contents.html [Return to page 17681126] 49. Beaglehole suggests the bird Banks classified as Loxia Brasiliensis was probably Brazilian Tanager (Ramphocelus brasilius). [Return to page 17681126] 50. The crabs described were probably of the species now classified as Uca uruguayensis. See http://www.fiddlercrab.info/ [Return to page 17681126] 51. Banks is referring to Cassava or Manioc (Manihot utilissima). A starchy flour is made from this plant's root. [Return to page 17681126] 52. Thomas Forster was an officer in the service of the Viceroy at Rio. For further information on his fate see his Letter of application to join Pacific voyage, received by Banks from Lieutenant Thomas Forster, November 1771, State Library of New South Wales, Banks Papers, Series 06.160, http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/banks/series_06/06_160.htm [Return to page 17681201] 53. Banks's Alstromeria salsilla was probably the species of plant now known as Bomarea edulis. His Amarillis mexicana was probably Hippeastrum reginae. [Return to page 17681207] 54. Banks is referring to Cassava or Manioc (Manihot utilissima). A starchy flour is made from the plant's root.. [Return to page 17681207] 55. The Mamey, Mamee Apple, also called Amarillo (Mammea americana) has a large fruit with orange pulp. Acajou is known in English as the Cashew. Banks's Jamboira is the Jambos or Rose Apple (Eugenia Jambos). This tree produces a hollow pale yellow fruit that is sweet and crisp and scented like a rose. The small black fruit Banks mentions were probably Jaboticaba (Myciaria cauliflora). The plam nuts and berries were probably the fruits of the Pandanus and species of soft fruited palms. [Return to page 17681207] 56. Banks's Bactris minor was probably either Acromia lasiosphata or Acromia aculeata. The 'prickle pears' were the fruit of the Prickly Pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica). [Return to page 17681207] 57. The plant named Pareira brava is now known as Cissampelos pareira (Velvet Leaf). It is a rainforest vine, the roots of which were used in Banks's day as a diuretic and to reduce fever and pain. It remains commonly used in herbal medicine to relieve a range of conditions such as menstrual pain poor digestion, and dyspepsia. Banks's Balsam copivi is the name once given to the resin obtained from the Diesel Tree (Copaifera langsdorfii). It was various used as a stimulant, diuretic and laxative. [Return to page 17681207] 58. See note 32 above. [Return to page 17681207] 59. Some species of shark can eject and retract their stomach through the mouth, thus allowing the lining of the stomach to be cleaned by the waters they swim through. [Return to page 17681208] 60. Beaglhole writes in connection with Banks's observation of this phenomenon on 7 November 1768 that he was informed by W.R. Taylor that 'the reference here is almost certainly to Trichodesmium thiebautii Gomont (1962: 182).' Trichodesmium thiebautii Gomont is a species of blue-green algae. [Return to page 17681209] 61. The shearwaters shot were specimens of the Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus) and Schlegel's petrel (Pterodroma incerta). The Cary's Chicken was a white-bellied storm petrel (Fregetta grallaria). [Return to page 17681222] 62. The new Procellaria, aequorea, was a White-faced Storm Petrel (Pelagodroma marina). What Banks called Holothuria angustata was a Portuguese Man-of-War (Physalia physalis), and his By-the-wind Sailors (Phyllodoce velella) are now known as Velella vellela. The albatross (Diomedea exulans) was a young Wandering Albatross. The turtle appears to have been a specimen of Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempi). [Return to page 17681223] 63. The black seabird shot were probably Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) or Cape Hens (Procellaria aequinoctialis). [Return to page 17681226] 64. Carabus are a genus of beetles. Phalanea was the name that Linnaeus gave to the genus that includes moths. [Return to page 17681229] 65. The name Gryllus was employed by Linneaus to describe a variety of orthopterous insects, that is, those insects that have leathery forewings, membranous hind-wings and mandibles, such as grasshoppers and crickets. [Return to page 17681230] 66. Most likely a Southern Seas Lion (Otaria byronia). The whale cannot not be identified. The reddish colour was caused by lice (Cyamide). [Return to page 17681230] 67. Bahia sin fondo (Bottomless Bay) was the name given to the Gulf of San Matias. In his 1767 chart of the South Pacific, Dalrymple represented the bay as a strait through to the Pacific. [Return to page 17681231] 68. Aranea - a spider. The name Gryllus was employed by Linneaus to describe a variety of orthopterous insects, that is, those insects that have leathery forewings, membranous hind-wings and mandibles, such as grasshoppers and crickets. [Return to page 17681231] Voyaging Accounts © 2004 Published by kind permission of the Library https://paulturnbull.org/project/southseas/journals/banks/references1.html