THEPACIFICOCEAN. 247 



that it is of the fame nature with that which prevails ^'778. 



' tebruar)'. 



throughout all the iflands we had hitherto vifited ; and, 

 probably, their wars amongft themfelves are equally fre- 

 quent. This, indeed, might be inferred from the num- 

 ber of weapons which we found them polTelTed of, and 

 from the excellent order thefe were kept in. But we had 

 direct: proof of the faft from their own confeflion ; and, as 

 we underftood, thefe wars are between the different diftritfls 

 of their own ifland, as well as between it and their neigh- 

 bours of Oneeheow and Orrehoua. We need fcarcely affign 

 any other caufe befides this, to account for the appear- 

 ance, already mentioned, of their population bearing no pro- 

 portion to the extent of their ground capable of cultivation. 



Befides their fpears or lanc€s, made of a fine chefnut- 

 colourcd wood, beautifully poliflied, fome of which arc 

 barbed at one end, and flattened to a point at the other, 

 they have a fort of weapon which we had never feen be- 

 fore, and not mentioned by any navigator, as tifed by the 

 natives of the South Sea. It is fomcwhat like a dagger ; in; 

 general, about a foot and a half long, fliarpencd at one or 

 both ends, and fccured to the hand by a firing. Its ufe is 

 to flab in clofe fight; and it feems well adapted to the pur- 

 pofc. Some of thefe may be called double daggers, having 

 a handle in the middle, with which they are better enabled 

 to flrike diflerent ways. They have alfo bows and arrows ;. 

 but, both from their apparent fcarcity, and their flender 

 make, it may almoft be prefumed that they never ufe them 

 in battle. The knife or faw, formerly mentioned, with 

 which they diffecfl the dead bodies, may alfo be ranked 

 amongfl their weapons, as they both flrike and cut with it,, 

 when clofely engaged. It is a fmall flat wooden inftrument,, 

 of an oblong fliape, about a foot long, rounded at the. 



corners,. 



