Description
Rare engraving of Malekul, from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s second voyage.
The Resolution visited Malekul from 22 to 23 July 1774. In this view Cook is depicted handing his musket to an officer, enabling him to accept the green palm branch signifying peace; the Malekulans are depicted wearing the yelau (penis case) tied up to a belt worn about the waist. Cook Journals II, 461-2, 22 July 1774.)
‘Their signs of Friendship is a green branch and sprinkling water with the hand over the head’.
References; Beddie 1381-60, p.269, Joppien 2.126A, ill.p.225
From Cook’s, A Voyage Towards the South Pole, and Round the World, performed in His Majesty’s Ships the ‘Resolution’ and ‘Adventure’, In the Years 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775.
