Sfjuiptoms of and Mode of Preimriiuj the Kmva. 569 



The liquid, as thus procured from this species of pepper, is 

 of a brownish yellow colour, somewhat liketliat of coffee into 

 which milk has been poured. The taste is sweet and agree- 

 able, producing a glow in the stomach, and induces a sort of 

 intoxication, widely different however from the form that 

 alcoholic inebriations assume with us. Men in the habit of 

 drinking Kawa neither stagger about, nor sj)eak thick and 

 loud, when under its influence. A sort of shiver affects the 

 whole frame, and their gait becomes listless and slow, but 

 they never lose consciousness. In its last stage, the person 

 affected feels an extraordinary weakness in all his joints ; 

 headache and an irresistible inclination to go to sleep 

 supervene, and a state of most complete repose becomes 

 an absolute necessity. 



The custom of Kawa drinking is diffused over the whole 

 of the islands of the Pacific. It even appears to have 

 become a necessary of life among the natives of Polynesia, 

 just as betel-chewing and palm- wine are to the Malays 

 and Hindoos, opium-smoking and samchoo to the Chinese, 

 chicha to the Mexican races, and coca to the South Ameri- 

 can Indians. 



In former times, on certain of the islands, the chiefs had 

 regular watchers, whose duty it was to guard their monarchs 

 from being disturbed when thus reposing. A dog which 

 dared to bark, a cock that was venturesome enough to crow, 

 were forthwith put to death. The too liberal or long- 

 continued indulgence in Kawa seems to generate a peculiar 



