Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

William Anderson was the surgeon on the Resolution. (pp.803-805) Notes on the making of spruce beer in Charlotte Sound, the eating of karaka and tawa fruits. Drank tea made from the leaves of mānuka ("Philadelphus") ... " a pleasant taste and smell, which might make an excellent substitute for the oriental sort, as it is well known fashion has a greater share in making such things generally useful than the palate".

Ate "wild celery which grows plentifully almost in every cove, especially if the natives have ever resided there before, and one which we us"d to call scurvy grass though entirely different from the plant we give that name to. It however is far preferable to it for common use and may be known by its jagged leaves and small clusters of white flowers on the top" [Apium prostratum and Lepidium oleraceum].

Lists other plants, especially noting flax: " ... the natives make their garments of it and it produces a fine silky flax superior in appearance to any thing we have and probably at least as strong" Flax garments are described (pp.809-810).

p.812. ".... they roast or rather bake the root and part of the stalk of the large Fern tree, in a great hole dug for that purpose which serves as an oven, after which they split it and find within a fine gelatinous substance like boiled Sago powder but firmer" [The process sounds like that used for tī (Cordyline australis).]

"They also use another smaller fern root which seems to be their substitute for bread, as it is dried and carry"d about with them together with dried fish in great quantitys when they remove their familys or go far from home. This they beat with a stick till it becomes pretty soft, when they chew it sufficiently and spit out the hard fibrous part, the other having a sweetish mealy taste not at all disagreeable." [fernroot] "... there is not the least sign of cultivation" (p.812).