Personal Characteristics of the Natives. 579 



whalers are negroes), some 50 or 60 of which visit the island 

 every year, and often remain for several weeks taking in pro- 

 visions and other stores. 



Puynipet has been for some years past the chief rendezvous 

 of the whalers in the Caroline Archipelago, because it is of 

 all the islands the most accessible, has the best and safest 

 harbours, and because fuel and water are procurable thence 

 in unlimited quantities. 



The complexion of the natives is of a clear copper hue, and 

 the average height of the males is 5 feet 8 in. ; the women 

 are much smaller than the men, witli delicate features and 

 flexible forms. The sons of the chiefs are usually well 

 foi'med, and lighter in colour than the majority of the popu- 

 lation, the consequence of their being less exposed to the 

 weather, and in any part of the world would pass for elegant 

 men. The nose is arched, the mouth wide with full lips and 

 dazzling teeth. Tlie flap of the ear is bored in both sexes, 

 but is rarely much enlarged by artificial means. Both 

 men and women have beautiful black liaii', which they take 

 great care of. 



The men have neither beard nor mustachios. They eradi- 

 cate the hair so soon as it makes its appearance on the cheeks 

 by means of mussel-shells, or two little jjieces of tortoise-shell 

 sharpened. The women are usually pretty, but as the girls 

 marry very young they soon lose the freshness of youth. 

 Their complexion is much faii'er than that of the men. The 

 cause of this is to be found in theii' wearing a sort of upper 



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