THE BREAD-FRUIT TREE. 129 
Wallis says, “* They are all handsome, and 
some excessively lovely.” 
The companions of Cook also speak in the 
highest terms of their attractions. Their tall 
and slender figures ; the form of their faces, 
which is agreeable, though rather round than 
oval ; the tender transparency of their skin; 
the complexions which, whether fair or brown, 
are always blooming; the expressive eyes, now 
flashing fire and now swimming in tenderness ; 
the small white, even teeth, and fascinating 
smile, are rapturously described by the younger 
Forster. 
The nose only is defective in these beauties, 
it is usually too flat, but may sometimes be 
seen as perfectly formed as in the females of 
Europe. | 
The curse, “‘ in the sweat of thy brow shalt 
thou eat bread,” falls harmless on the Tahai- 
tians. Three bread-fruit trees are sufficient for 
a man’s subsistence during a year; and he has 
here only to stretch out his hand to obtain this 
and many other fruits whose variety may please 
his palate. Nutritious roots are cultivated with 
G5 
