138 LAW OF SUCCESSION. 
of respect which was usually paid only to the 
Gods in prayer or in passing a Marai. Before 
the princesses, the female sex only uncovered 
themselves. All his subjects were much at- 
tached to the sovereign, who reigned under a 
most singular law of succession. 
As soon as a son was born to him, the sove- 
reignty passed from the king to the infant, in 
whose name, and during whose minority only, 
the father continued to exercise the Regency. 
The several districts were governed by depu- 
ties chosen from the class of Yeris, who were 
also the sole administrators of justice; which 
amongst this well-disposed people was generally 
very mild. The punishments in a great mea- 
sure depend on the injured party, and consist 
chiefly in stripes. A native assured me that 
thieves are sometimes hung on a tree; but they 
more frequently escape with a few strokes, or 
sometimes altogether with impunity. 
The two kingdoms of Tahaiti were often in a 
state of mutual warfare, though they sometimes 
fought as allies against acommon enemy. Cook 
and his companions saw the preparations for a 
war with the neighbouring island of Kimeo, and 
