jiS A V O Y A G E T O 



1777. -ct * YVe had feen the drinkine of ka^ua fometimes, at the 



June. 



Other iflands ; but, by no means, fo frequently as here, 

 where it feems to be the only forenoon employment of the 

 principal people. The kava is a fpecies of pepper, which 

 they cultivate for this purpofe, and efteeni it a valuable ar- 

 ticle, taking great care to defend the young plants from 

 any injury ; and it is commonly planted about their houfes. 

 It feldom grows to more than a man's height ; though I 

 have feen fome plants almoft double that. It branches con- 

 fiderably, with large heart-fhaped leaves, and jointed ftalks. 

 The root is the only part that is ufed at the Friendly Iflands, 

 which, being dug up, is given to the fervants that attend, 

 who, breaking it in pieces, fcrape the dirt off with a fliell, 

 or bit of (tick ; and then each begins and chews his portion, 

 which he fpits into a piece of plantain leaf. The perfon, 

 v/ho is to prepare the liquor, colletT:s all thefe mouthfuis, 

 and puts them into a large wooden difli or bov;l, adding as 

 much water as will make it of a proper ftrength. It is, 

 then, well mixed up with the hands; and fome loofe fluff, 

 of which mats are made, is thrown upon the furface, 

 which intercepts tlie fibrous part, and is wrung hard, to 

 get as much liquid out from it, as is poffible. The manner 

 of diftributing it need not be repeated. The quantity which 

 is put into each cup, is commonly about a quarter of a pint. 

 The immediate effect of this beverage is not perceptible on 

 thefe people, who ufe it fo frequently ; but on fome of 

 ours, who ventured to try it, though fo haflily prepared, it 

 had the .fame power as fpirits have, in intoxicating them ; 

 or, rather, it produced that .kind of flupefaiTtion, which is 



* The following account of kava, to the end of this paragraph, is inferted frorji 

 iMr. Anderfon's journai. 



:f- tke 



