54 VOYAGE TO THE 



cured in the same way, was also seen among them. 

 We noticed three boats hauled up on the shore to 

 1825. the northward of the landing-place, resembling the 

 drawing in Perouse's Voyage, but the natives did 

 not attempt to launch them. 



Roggewein and Perouse were of opinion that 

 these people lived together in communities, a whole 

 village inhabiting one extensive hut, and that pro- 

 perty was in common. The former idea was pro- 

 bably suggested by the very capacious dwellings 

 which are scattered over the island ; and the conjec- 

 ture may be correct, though it is certain that there 

 are a far greater number of small huts, sufficient to 

 contain one family only ; but with regard to the sup- 

 position that property is common, it seems very 

 doubtful whether the land would be so carefully 

 divided by rows of stones if that were the case. 

 Some circumstances which occurred at the landing- 

 place, during our visit, certainly favoured the pre- 

 sumption of its being so. One of the natives offered 

 an image for sale, and being disappointed in the 

 price he expected, refused to part with it ; but a by- 

 stander, less scrupulous, snatched it from him with- 

 out ceremony, and parted with it for the original 

 offer without a word of remonstrance from his 

 countryman. Others again threw their property 

 into the boats, without demanding any immediate 

 return ; taking for granted, it may be presumed, 

 that they would reap their reward when a distribu- 

 tion of the property obtained should take place. 

 But this state of society is so unnatural that, how- 

 ever appearances may sanction the belief, I am dis- 

 posed to doubt it. One strong fact in support of 

 my opinion was the unceremonious manner in which 



