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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



or Ariirahi of the district of Papara came on board and was courteously 

 received by Wallis who presented her with a mirror and a gown, he being 

 under the impression that she was the " Queen " of the Island. As a 

 matter of fact, there was no head chief whose authority was recognized 

 over all parts of Tahiti, and Purea was merely a guest of her kinsman 

 the chief of the district of Matavai Bay in which the DolpJwi lay at 

 anchor. 



Greatly impressed by Purea's commanding presence and with the 

 respect she inspired among the natives, Wallis returned the call on the 



A Tahitian Valley. 



following day, the natives carrying him upon their backs to the great 

 council house, or Fare-hau of Matavai within which Purea was herself 

 but a guest, although her actions appear to have been those which would 

 better have graced a hostess. The house in which this remarkable 

 reception occurred was 327 feet long by 42 wide and was a shed of palm 

 thatch, the roof being supported upon 92 posts arranged in three rows. 

 The " Queen " and her maidens at once proceeded to massage Wallis and 

 his officers and finally to dress them in native garments, thus reciprocat- 



