A kangaroo, by Sydney Parkinson.

A kangaroo. © National Maritime Museum, London

Description: The importance of the natural history specimens and drawings produced on the Cook voyages was immediately recognised, though botany and zoology were then relatively undeveloped disciplines. The emphasis was on collecting, cataloguing and description using the system of classification developed by Linnaeus. Many of the natural history drawing, although engraved under the direction of Joseph Banks, remained unpublished until recent times. This kangaroo was seen at Endeavour River on 23 June 1770. Parkinson worked for Banks before embarking with him on the 'Endeavour' in 1768.

Creator: Sydney Parkinson

Date: c. 1770

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London