438 EXPEDITION TO THE 



of the Association of the Nanpashcne ; but the most singu^ 

 lar dress was that of Wanotan's son, who, for the first time 

 in his life, wore the distinguished national garb, in which 

 he is represented in the Frontispiece plate to this volume. 

 The dresses were evidently made for his father, and too 

 large for him, so that they gave to his figure a stifi" and 

 clumsy appearance, which strongly reminded us of the 

 awkward gait of those children who, among civilized na- 

 tions, are allowed, at too early an age, to assume the dress 

 of riper years, by which they lose their infantine grace and 

 ease. This is one of the many features in which we de- 

 light in tracing an analogy between the propensities of man, 

 in his natural state, and in his more refined condition. This 

 lad wore a very large head-dress, consisting of feathers 

 made of the war-eagle, and which in form was precisely 

 similar to that of the King of the Friendly Islands, as re- 

 presented in Cook's Voyages. His dress was made of 

 many ermine skins, variously disposed upon a white 

 leather cloak. The performers stood in a ring, each with 

 the wing of a bird in his hand, with which he beat time 

 on his gun, arrow, or some thing that would emit a sound. 

 They commenced their singing in a low tone, gradually 

 raising it for a few minutes, then closing it suddenly with 

 a shrill yell ; after a slight interruption, they recommenced 

 the same air, which they sang without any variation for 

 near three quarters of an hour. Major Long reduced it to 

 notes, and an idea of this low and melancholy, but not un- 

 pleasant, air may be formed from the first tune in Plate 

 5. This was accompanied by a few unmeaning words. 

 Occasionally one of the performers would advance into the 

 centre of the ring, and relate his warlike adventures. 

 Among those who did this was a slender and active war- 

 rior, not tall, but distinguished by his very thin lips and 



