The Kcma Beverage. 247 



Raatlra,* who are exempted from toil, are however able to 

 indulge in the luxury of a dally draught of kawa. The 

 symptoms of intoxication are very similar to those of opium. 

 In the kawa-drinker, like the opium-eater or Samshoo smoker, 

 there is a nervous tremulousness perceptible, followed by 

 utter exhaustion, and an overpowering necessity for sleep. 

 After its effects have passed off, there is a sensation of weariness 

 in the limbs, to remove which the regular kawa-drinkers are 

 accustomed to plunge into the cold waters of the nearest 

 mountain stream. A very peculiar cuticular disease, the in- 

 fallible result of the daily use of this beverage, is called by 

 the natives Areivarewa. 



A German chemist, M. Nollenberger, who was resident at 

 Papeete during our visit to the Archipelego, had succeeded in 

 September, 1858, in crystallizing the essential principle of the 

 kawa root, which he called Kawa'in, the powers and properties 

 of which he was about to investigate more minutely. As we 

 have since then been favoured with a copy of the very 

 valuable work of Mr. G. Cuzent upon Tahiti, already alluded 

 to, we learn therein that that zealous naturalist had already, 



♦ Before the arrival on the island of the Europeans, Tahitian society was divided 

 into three classes : viz. Arii, or chiefs ; Raatira, or land-holders, of whom the most 

 distinguished in each district were called Tataui ; and, lastly, Manahune, or Tenantry 

 at will. To the latter class belonged all prisoners of war. Between the Arii and 

 Raatira there was a middle class, the Eietoai, corresponding to the Eui'opean title of 

 Honourable. Latterly the name Tavana has come into almost universal use 

 for the Arii, being in fact nothing but a corruption of the English word " Go- 

 vernor." 



