[A view of a perforated rock in Tolaga Bay in New Zealand].

Hand coloured example of the first view of Tolaga Bay made from Lt. James Cook, visit in 1769.

Sporing the artist has depicted the Endeavours’ pinnance,
which was moving about the bay on the same day in the process of
wooding and watering the ship. The discovery of the view was recorded ‘We
saw an extraordinary natural curiosity. In pursuing a valley bounded on
each side by steep hills we on a sudden saw a most noble arch or Cavern
through the face of a rock leading directly to the sea, so that through
it we had not only a view of the bay and hills on the other side but an
opportunity of imagining a ship or any other grand object opposite it.
It was certainly the most magnificent surprize. I have ever met with so
much is pure nature superior to art in these cases‘ Banks, Jornal I, 419, 419, 24 October 1769.

Reference: Joppien 1.113B ill. pp. 173

From Hawkesworth, An Account of the Voyages Undertaken by the Order of His Present Majesty for Making Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere,…