THE FRIENDLY ISLANDS 



and well formed race. Especially is 

 this noticeable in the high class fami- 

 lies. Their complexion is clear, rich 

 brown, almost approaching light cop- 

 per color. Many of the young chil- 

 dren are nearly white. They are a 

 clean race and in many things compare 

 favorably with the civilized nations of 

 Europe. Formerly their origin was 

 supposed to be Mala}', but recently it 

 has been scientifically proved that 

 they are of Caucasian origin. They are 

 hospitable. They delight in flowers, 

 and in annointing themselves with 

 scented oils. 



The Tongans believe that they are 

 directly descended from the gods. 

 Their legend relates that one day, cen- 

 turies ago, before the Tongan Islands, 

 which had been fished up by one of the 

 gods, had been peopled, some of the 

 gods put to sea in a canoe and landed 

 Delighted with the land 



on 



Tonga. 



they remained, and were finally trans- 

 formed into mortal beings, and peo- 

 pled the islands. 



SHOWING A LEAF OF THE CARPIE (ENGLISH 



SPELLING OF THE TONGAN WORD ("KAPI") 



PLANT— AN EDIBLE ROOT BELONGING 



TO THE TARO FAMILY. 

 The stem measures three feet to base of leaf; 

 length of leaf, three feet nine inches; width, through 

 the centre, two feet nine inches. 



A COCOANUT PLANTATION AT VAVAU. FRIENDLY ISLES. 



