S3'2 FROM CALIFORNIA TO 



which lasted a night and two days ; tiie higher a 

 person's rank is, the more sacred are the duties he 

 has to perform, and at every new and full moon 

 such a taboo takes place. As soon as the sun ap- 

 proaches the horizon, they go into the moral, and 

 do not leave it till the fixed time has expired. 

 M. Chamisso, at his request, obtained leave from 

 Kareimoku to perform the whole taboo in the 

 moral. Without doubt he is the first European to 

 whom this permission has been extended; and the 

 reader will learn, from his contribution to this 

 voyage, what occurred to him in that sacred place. 

 After having been visited by Kareimoku, the in- 

 habitants were convinced of my friendly intentions, 

 and I could go on shore without any danger. As 

 soon, therefore, as my guests had left the Rurick, 1 

 went to Hana-rura, where the inhabitants con- 

 ducted themselves with great propriety, and were 

 much pleased when I entered their houses, to sa- 

 tisfy my curiosity ; the whole family then assem- 

 bled round me, presented me with refreshments, 

 and were very talkative, and played like children. 

 Tobacco-pipes are found in every hut, and smoking 

 seems to have become an indispensable enjoyment. 

 The houses in Hana-rura, which are sometimes 

 joined together in long rows, and sometimes lie 

 scattered, resemble those of Owhyee. Some Eu- 

 ropeans who have settled here, live in houses, 

 which may pass for a kind of medium between 

 those of Europe and of this country. The Spaniard 



