Here, a Tasmanian is carrying a child on her back, with a skin slung from her left shoulder about her middle.

"The Women wore a Kanguroo skin in the same shape as it came from the animal, tied over the shoulder and round the waist, but it was evidently intended for not other purpose than for the conveniency of carrying the child, for in all other respects they [are] are naked as the men, and as black, with hair of the same Colour and texture. Some had their heads wholy shaved, some only on one side, while others again shaved all the upper part and leaving a circle of hair round the head as is the custom with some Fryers.'

Captain James Cook (1728-1779) made three separate voyages to the Pacific (with the ships Endeavour, Resolution, Adventure, and Discovery) and did more than any other voyager to explore the Pacific and Southern Ocean. Cook not only encountered Pacific cultures for the first time, but also assembled the first large-scale collections of Pacific objects to be brought back to Europe. He was killed in Hawaii in 1779.

This engraving is after a drawing by John Webber from John Hawkesworth's account (1773) of the voyages of Captain James Cook, Joseph Banks and Captain John Byron.

Cook travelled to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) between January 24-30, 1777.

First contact with the natives was made on 28 January, 1777.

Loosely bound in album with PAI3893-PAI3894, PAI3896-PAI3936.; Plate No.7.