THE ST. LAWRENCE ISLANDS. 103 



tion, which would appear laughable in civilized 

 countries, is here sufficient to protect every man's 

 right. The whole island has the appearance of an 

 English park, here and there winds a path over- 

 shaded by the spreading branches of the large 

 bread-fruit tree ; the majestic palm stands close 

 to the pandanus, which rests on its high roots as 

 on feet, and every where the wanderer finds a 

 retreat against the scorching rays of the sun. The 

 huts lie scattered under the shade of the bread- 

 fruit trees, and we did not pass one, without the 

 hostess inviting us to sit down on neat mats, and 

 partake of some refreshments. We looked about 

 in vain, as we had done in Otdia, for an object 

 from which we could form some idea respecting 

 their religious belief, but we could discover no 

 traces ; probably they worship an invisible being ; 

 for a nation of such good moral conduct, cannot 

 be supposed to be without religion. 



Their whole riches, in poultry, consisted of two 

 fowls of a small kind ; Labadeny offered them both 

 to me, as a valuable present, but 1 was far from 

 robbing them of their little treasure, which I was, 

 unfortunately, not able to increase, as I had no 

 more fowls. Chamisso discovered three kinds of 

 taro, which had been carefully planted in a damp 

 situation ; but the quantity was so small, that these 

 roots cannot serve for ordinary use, but only be 

 regarded as dainties. 



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