CUSTOMS AND SOCIAL HABITS OF THE RACES OF POLYNESIA. 491 



prepared by them, and both the preparation and the cooking are 

 very cleanly. The ovens are formed by small stones interspersed 

 with the wood in a heap in a hollow on the ground. After the 

 fuel is consumed, and the stones thoroughly heated, the latter are 

 removed from the surface, and the food in sepaiate wrappings of 

 leaves is placed between layers of bread fruit or banana leaves 

 and carefully covered with the heated stones. The Papuans 

 leave the cooking and all its preparations to the females of the 

 family. The coral islands of the Loyalty Group not supplying 

 suitable stones for such ovens as just mentioned, the natives cover 

 their food with heated earth and aslies. Here the food is cooked 

 in a hotch-potch manner, — tish, fowls, vegetables, and fruit are 

 baked in one large bundle, and very little care is taken in cleansing 

 anything. 



It is a usual thing in a Malayan family for all the members to 

 eat together ; but with the Papuans the females take a " back 

 seat," and must often wait till the males have selected what they 

 chose, and have satisfied their hunger before they can get their 

 meal from what is left. Sometimes separate dishes are cooked 

 respectively for the male portion and female members of the 

 household. 



A distinction may be observed between the modes of sitting of 

 the Malays and Papuans. The former is comparatively graceful 

 — with crossed legs, the heels gathered beneath them ; but tlie 

 latter squat in an inelegant position, with the knees drawn up to 

 the chest. 



A generous spirit of hospitality characterises the Malay-Poly- 

 nesian. Strangers are welcomed and warmly entertained. A 

 custom prevails in Samoa, which often reminded me of Abraham 

 and Lot, viz. : — The headman of the village sitting in front of his 

 house, ins-iting passing strangers to enter and rest, take a little 

 food, and refresh himself before going on his way. In every 

 important village or township a house for travellers — a native 

 caravanserai — is erected in the centre, whei'e travelling parties 

 are not only lodged but also freely entertained, however numerous 

 the party may be. It is understood, however, that, unless parti- 

 cular business calls them to that place, or the weather is unpro- 

 pitious, the travellers are expected not to prolong their stay 

 beyond one night. No such provision is made in Papuan settle- 

 ments, and strangers will rarely obtain lodging or food there 

 without a quid pro quo. We have often been grieved by witness- 

 ing the greediness and selfishness shown by the Loyalty Islanders, 

 in such painful contrast with our experience of the hosj^itality 

 and generous conduct of the Samoans, among whom the children 

 even will share their food or dainties with their companions 

 without stint or reluctance. 



The clothing of the Malay-Polynesian is comparatively decent. 

 The long tapa robes of the Friendly Islanders, Samoans, and Society 

 Islanders, made from the bark of tlie paper mulberry ( Morua 



