&50 COOK S VOYAGE TO MARCH, 



English. Mangeea. Otaheite. 



Greats or pow- ( Manna (an adjunct 



erfiil, \ to the last.) 



To kiss, Ooma. 



The natives of Mangeea seem to resemble those 

 of Otaheite and the Marquesas in the beauty of 

 their persons, more than any other nation I have 

 seen in these seas ; having a smooth skin, and not 

 being muscular. Their general disposition also cor- 

 responds, as far as we had opportunities of judging, 

 with that which distinguishes the first mentioned 

 people. For they are not only cheerful, but, as 

 Mourooa showed us, are acquainted with all the 

 lascivious gesticulations which the Otaheiteans prac- 

 tise in their dances. It may also be supposed, that 

 their method of living is similar. For, though the 

 nature of the country prevented our seeing many of 

 their habitations, we observed one house near the 

 beach, which much resembled, in its mode of con- 

 struction, those of Otaheite. It was pleasantly 

 situated in a grove of trees, and appeared to be about 

 thirty feet long, and seven or eight high, with an 

 open end, which represented an ellipse divided trans- 

 versely. Before it, was spread something white on a 

 few bushes; which we conjectured to be a fishing- 

 net, and, to appearance, of a very delicate texture. 



They salute strangers much after the manner of 

 the New Zealanders, by joining noses; adding, how- 

 ever, the additional ceremony of taking the hand of 

 the person to whom they are paying civilities, and 

 rubbing it with a degree of force upon their nose 

 and mouth. * 



* The inhabitants of the Palaos, New Philippine, or rather 

 Caroline Islands, at the distance of almost fifteen hundred leagues 

 from Mangeea, have the same mode of salutation. " Leur civility, 

 et la marque de leur respect, consiste a prendre la main ou le pied 

 de celui a qui ils veulent faire honneur, et s'en frotter doucement 

 tout le visage." Lett res Edifiantes et Cur lenses, torn. xv. p. 208. 

 Edit. 1781. 



