3()8 COOK S SECOND VOYAGE APRIL, 



sea. For fine shape and regular features, they per- 

 haps surpass all other nations. Nevertheless, the 

 affiinity of their language to that spoken in Otaheite 

 and the Society Isles, shows that they are of the same 

 nation. Oedidee could converse with them tolerably 

 well, though we could not ; but it was easy to see 

 that their language was nearly the same. 



The men are punctured, or curiously tattooed, 

 from head to foot. The figures are various, and 

 seem to be directed more by fancy than custom. 

 These punctuations make them look dark ; but the 

 women, who are but little punctured, youths, and 

 young children who are not at all, are as fair as some 

 Europeans. The men are in general tall ; that is, 

 about five feet ten inches or six feet ; but I saw none 

 that were fat and lusty like the Earees of Otaheite ; 

 nor did I see any that could be called meagre. 

 Their teeth are not so good, nor are their eyes so full 

 and lively as those of many other nations. Their 

 hair, like ours, is of many colours, except red, of 

 which I saw none. Some have it long ; but the 

 most general custom is to wear it short, except a 

 bunch on each side of the crown, which they tie in a 

 knot. They observe different modes in trimming the 

 beard, which is in general long. Some part it, and 

 tie it in two bunches under the chin ; others plat it; 

 some wear it loose, and others quite short. 



Their clothing is the same as at Otaheite, and 

 made of the same materials ; but they have it not in 

 such plenty, nor is it so good. The men, for the 

 most part, have nothing to cover their nakedness, 

 except the Marra, as it is called at Otaheite, which 

 is a slip of cloth passed round the waist and betwixt 

 the legs. This simple dress is quite sufficient for 

 the climate, and answers every purpose modesty re- 

 quires. The dress of the women is a piece of cloth, 

 wrapped round the loins like a petticoat, which 

 reaches down below the middle of the leg, and a 

 loose mantle over their shoulders. Their principal 



