OCEAN 1C MIGRATIONS. 131 



Marquesans, mostly of Tahitian descent, with some few of Vavauan 

 origin, had set out in one or more large canoes, well provided with 

 necessaries for a long voyage, to revisit the countries of their ances- 

 tors, the Navigator and Friendly Groups, we see at once how the 

 involuntary emigration might have taken place. Proceeding with 

 the regular southeast trades, till they had arrived nearly at their 

 destination, they were struck (we may suppose) by a northwesterly 

 gale, such as has been before described. To prevent being driven 

 directly back, the natural proceeding would be to haul up as close to 

 the wind as possible, which would give them a course nearly north- 

 by-west. If the gale continued several days, with cloudy weather, 

 they would lose their reckoning entirely, arid would then, in accord- 

 ance with the usual custom of the islanders, proceed onward in the 

 same direction, till they reached the land.* And if, as we have 

 supposed, they were then in search of the island and group of Savaii, 

 it was natural enough that they should give to their new home, which 

 resembled it in many respects, the same name. 



Respecting the time when this migration took place we can form at 

 least a plausible conjecture. The Hawaiians have a genealogy of their 

 kings from the first Tahitian colonists down to the reigning sovereign. 

 It comprises sixty-seven generations, whose names are given in full, 

 in the Moo-olelo, a native history, before referred to. It might be 

 doubted whether the natives could remember with accuracy so far 

 back; but this doubt would cease on hearing one of them recite the 

 genealogy in question. As given in the History, it stands as follows 

 (beginning with the second king, the son of Watea and Hoohotuta- 

 lani] : 



HUSBAND. WIFE. CHILD. 



O Haloa, Hinamanouluae, O Waia. 



O Waia, Huhune, O Hinanalo. 



Hinanalo, ffaunuu, O Nanatehili, &c. 



But in the native recitation, as we have heard it, the words tane, 



* One reason of the great distance to which these chance-voyages of the natives 

 extend, is found in the vague assurance which they have, that the ocean is covered with 

 islands in every direction. Accordingly, when they are driven out to sea, and have lost 

 the bearing of their own island, they do not cease their efforts in despair, or continue to 

 beat up and down without an object, but, selecting some course, they set their sail and 

 steer boldly onward, husbanding their provisions as long as possible, in the hope of at 

 length striking upon some unknown land. Mr. Williams gives several instances of long 

 voyages made in this way by canoes running before the trade-wind. 



