620 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION G. 



querors. The languages differ, and wherever ])ossible, the coast 

 people make slaves of the bushman. The sounds found in 

 the bush language remind one of the sounds in Australian 

 aboriginal language rather than of any other Papuan tongue 

 I have heard of, but the features of the people do not 

 resemble the Australian black in any marked degree. This 

 is a subject worthy of strictest investigation by those residing 

 on the spot, and no doubt it will receive due attention. 



4.— SAMOA, &c. 

 Bif REV. .S. ELLA. 



In following the plan laid down by Dr. John Fraser for 

 Reports on the Australasian, Papuan, and Polynesian races, 

 I take up the Malay-Polynesian race on Samoa, and add 

 also such information as I possess with regard to the Papuans 

 inhabiting the Loyalty and New Hebrides groups, especially 

 marking the differences in the manners and customs of these 

 races which I have observed during a long residence among 

 them. On the Island of Tai (called by mistake " Uvea") — 

 my sphere of labour for twelve years — the two races are 

 found, and to a considerable extent maintain their distinc- 

 tiveness, though, both in language and customs, it is apparent 

 that changes have been produced by intercourse one with the 

 other. In this respect we see on a small scale what has 

 extensively resulted from a more complete amalgamation of 

 these races in Fiji. 



Birth and Childhood. 



With regard to the superstitious belief attaching to many 

 old customs of the Polynesians, it is evident that the lapse of 

 time and change of circumstances have erased this from the 

 minds of the natives, so far as to render it difficult, some- 

 times impossible, to trace the origin and rehgious notions of 

 many of their peculiar observances. The general reply to 

 the question why such and such things are done is, " Oh, it is 

 the custom of our people." In Samoa, for instance, it is 

 considered a sufficient reason and information enough to 

 satisfy all inquiry, " O le tu faa- Samoa foi" — (It is just the 

 Samoan custom). 



In Samoa, when the woman was known to be encienie 

 there were great rejoicings, not only by the husband, but also 



