ixf: A V O Y A G E T O 



9 : The quadrupeds in thefe, as in all the other iflands that 



have been difcovered in the South fea, are confined to three 

 forts, dogs, hogs, and rats. The dogs are of the fame fpe- 

 cies with thofe of Otaheite, having fhort crooked legs, long 

 backs, and pricked ears. I did not obferve any variety in 

 them, except in their fkins ; fome having long and rough 

 hair, and others being quite fmooth. They are about the 

 fize of a common turnfpit ; exceedingly fluggiih in their 

 nature ; though perhaps this may be more owing to the 

 manner in which they are treated, than to any natural dif- 

 poiition in them. They are, in general, fed, and left to 

 herd, with the hogs ; and I do not recollect one inftance in 

 which a dog was made a companion in the manner we do 

 in Europe. Indeed, the cuftom of eating them is an infu- 

 perable bar to their admiilion into fociety, and as there are 

 neither beafts of prey in the ifland, nor objects of chace, 

 it is probable, that the focial qualities of the dog, its fide- 

 lity, attachment, and fagacity, will remain unknown to the 

 natives. 



The number of dogs in thefe iflands did not appear to be 

 nearly equal, in proportion, to thofe in Otaheite. But on 

 the other hand, they abound much more in hogs ; and the 

 breed is of a larger and weightier kind. The fupply of 

 provifions of this kind, which we got from them, was really 

 afloniihing. We were near four months, either cruifing off 

 the coaft, or in harbour at Owhyhcc. During all this time, 

 a large allowance of frcfli pork was conftantly fcrved to both 

 crews : fo that our confumption was computed at about iixty 

 puncheons of five hundred weight each. Befides this, 

 and the incredible waftc which, in the midft of fuch plenty, 

 was not to be guarded againft, fixty puncheons more were 

 failed for fea florc. The greater! part of this fupply was 



drawn 



