1777* THE PACIFIC OCEAN* 65 



human sacrifice, at which I was present, was offered, 

 and before which the victim was laid, after being re- 

 moved from the sea side. It is at this part of the 

 moral, also, that they first invest their kings with 

 the maro. Omai, who had been present when Otoo 

 was made king, described to me the whole ceremony, 

 when we were here ; and I find it to be almost the 

 same, as this that Mr. King has now described, though 

 we understood it to be upon a very different occasion. 

 The plantain -tree, so often mentioned, is always the 

 first thing introduced, not only in all their religious 

 ceremonies, but in all their debates, whether of a 

 public or private nature. It is also used on other occa- 

 sions; perhaps many more than we know of. While 

 Towha was at Eimeo, one or more messengers came 

 from him to Otoo every day. The messenger always 

 came with a young plantain-tree in his hand, which 

 he laid down at Otoo's feet, before he spoke a word; 

 then seated himself before him, and related what he 

 was charged with. I have seen two men in such 

 high dispute that I expected they would proceed to 

 blows ; yet, on one laying a plantain-tree before the 

 other, they have both become cool, and carried on 

 the argument without farther animosity. In short, 

 it is, upon all occasions, the olive-branch of these 

 people. 



The war with Eimeo, and the solemn rites which 

 were the consequence of it, being thus finally closed, 

 all our friends paid us a visit on the 26th ; and, as 

 they knew that we were upon the point of sailing, 

 brought with them more hogs than w T e could take off 

 their hands. For, having no salt left, to preserve 

 any, we wanted no more than for present use. 



The next day, I accompanied Otoo to Oparre ; 

 and, before I left it, I looked at the cattle and poul- 

 try, which I had consigned to my friend's care, at 

 that place. Every thing was in a promising way ; and 

 properly attended unto. Two of the geese and two 

 of the ducks were sitting ; but the pea and turkey 



VOL. VI. F 



