This catalogue contains 39 specimens of tapa, or bark, cloth with descriptions of each of the samples. Tapa was a central feature of life throughout the Pacific Islands, principally used for clothing but also serving as a medium of exchange and representative of wealth and prestige. The cloth was also employed in ceremonial and religious occasions such as the negotiation of treaties, naval reviews, funeral rites, and offerings to the gods.

Tapa was of considerable interest to Cook and his contemporaries and both the cloth and its manufacture is mentioned in accounts of the three voyages. Many of Cook's crew brought samples back to England and a collector's market developed for these and other artifacts brought back from the South Seas. This catalogue, compiled by Alexander Shaw, includes information on the manufacture of tapa taken from published accounts. Each specimen is identified by its geographic source and its purpose. Number 17 (top) is identified simply as "From Otaheite; beat with a grooved piece of wood, and used as a mat." A few of the specimens have lengthier anecdotes regarding their acquisition, such as number 18 (bottom):

"The very finest of the inner coat of the mulberry; and wore by the chiefs of Otaheite. ----- Some of the seamen were sent ashore to bring fresh provisions on board; and not having an opportunity to return immediately, one of them wandered a little way up the country, where he saw some children at play, which to his surprize they all left, and surrounded him, making many antic gestures; at last a girl, about fourteen years of age, made a leap at him, at the same time endeavoured to seize a few red feathers which he had stuck in his cap, which he directly took out and presented her; upon which she made off with amazing swiftness, and the rest after her; he then returned to his companions, who were preparing to go on board. It was now the cool of the evening, when she came down to the waterside, and singling him out from the rest, presented him the piece of cloth from which this was cut. A true sign of gratitude in those people."

Twenty pages of this catalogue for the Leverian Museum list objects from the voyages. Many of the items are from Hawaii but New Zealand, Tahiti, the Friendly Islands, Nootka, and Onalaska are also represented. The publication was intended to document the collection as well as serve as a guide. The preface notes that "persons visiting the Museum will be accommodated with the use of this catalogue whilst they are inspecting the various articles that may attract their notice."

This later guide to the Leverian Museum was published specifically for children. Note how the frontispiece has been adapted from the 1790 edition.

This eighth edition of the guide to William Bullock's museum includes artifacts from the Pacific which had not appeared in earlier printings. Some of these items had belonged to the Leverian Museum, the entire collection of which was sold in 1806. The suggested tour begins with a case of artifacts from the Sandwich Islands and it is noted that "several of the articles in this case were once the property of the celebrated Captain Cook."