2774 ROUND THE WORLD. 349 



could rise in life above the rank in which he was 

 born. 



I have occasionally mentioned the extraordinary 

 fondness the people of Otaheite showed for red fea- 

 thers. These they call Oora, and they are as valu* 

 able here as jewels are in Europe, especially those 

 which they call Oravine, and grow on the head 

 of the green paroquet ; all red feathers are, indeed, 

 esteemed, but none equally with these ; and they are 

 such good judges as to know very well how to dis- 

 tinguish one sort from another. Many of our people 

 attempted to deceive them, by dying other feathers ; 

 but I never heard that any one succeeded. These 

 feathers they make up in little bunches, consisting of 

 eight or ten, and fix them to the end of a small cord 

 about three or four inches long, which is made of the 

 strong outside fibres of the cocoa-nut, twisted so hard, 

 that it is like a wire, and serves as a handle to the 

 bunch. Thus prepared, they are used as symbols 

 of the Eatuas, or divinities, in all their religious 

 ceremonies. I have often seen them hold one of 

 these bunches, and sometimes only two or three 

 feathers, between the fore-finger and thumb, and say 

 a prayer, not one word of which I could ever under- 

 stand. Whoever comes to this island will do well to 

 provide himself with red feathers, the finest and 

 smallest that are to be got. He must also have 

 a good stock of axes, and hatchets, spike-nails, 

 files, knives, looking-glasses, beads, &c. Sheets and 

 shirts are much sought after, especially by the ladies j 

 as many of our gentlemen found by experience. 



The two goats, which Captain Furneaux gave 

 to Otoo when we were last here, seemed to promise 

 fair for answering the end for which they were put 

 on shore. The ewe soon after had two female 

 kids, which were now so far grown as to be nearly 

 ready to propagate j and the old ewe was again 

 with kid. The people seemed to be very fond of 

 them, and they to like their situation as well j for 



