THE PENRHYN ISLANDS. ^219 



bottom of which about a hand's-breadth of other 

 wood is fastened with strings of cocoa-bast, and 

 the point is eitlier widened and two-edged, or 

 single, and very long. They first hesitated to 

 barter their arms, and would not part with them, 

 except for long nails or scarlet worsted girdles. 

 We obtained from them some fishing-hooks, which 

 were two pieces of real mother-of-pearl joined to- 

 gether, and wrought in the most tasteful manner, 

 perfectly resembling those of the Sandwich islands. 



Their boats are made of several pieces of wood 

 well joined together with cocoa-bast cords. Both 

 ends are roimded off, above the water and below 

 the water, furnished with a projecting spar. They 

 have an outrigger, on which their arms are secured. 



We did not wait for a boat, which approached 

 us under full sail, from a distant island of the 

 group. 



The low group of the Penrhyns richly provides 

 for a numerous population, which is proved by the 

 appearance of the people. Of their productions, 

 we only know the incomparable cocoa-woods which 

 cover them, and the pan dan us. We have not been 

 able to learn what other fruits they may have, or 

 what roots ; whether the swine and the dog, or 

 whether the latter alone. 



As we sailed from the Penrhyns, black clouds, 

 with thunder and lightning, hung over tliem, and 

 afforded us a sublime prospect, such as is seldom 

 seen at sea. 



