A branch of the bread fruit tree, 1770-79 (engraving)

Creator: John Sebastian Miller Plates of Captain Cook voyages, volume I. Published in John Hawkesworth's 'Voyages', an account of the journeys by Captain Cook, Vice Admiral John Byron and Joseph Banks published on behalf of the Admirality in 1773. Breadfruit is a starchy fruit that has a potato-like flavour when cooked, similar to bread, and is high in carbohydrates and protein. Breadfruit was seen as a highly productive food and was later transported to the Caribbean as a cheap, high-energy food source for slaves. Initial field drawings of this plant were done by Scottish botanist and natural history artist Sydney Parkinson during Captain James Cook's first 'Endeavor' voyage (1768-1771). Captain Cook, (1728-1779), made three separate voyages to the Pacific with the ships 'Endeavour', 'Resolution', 'Adventure', and 'Discovery'.