154 ETHNOGRAPHY. 



however, was distinct and peculiar, showing that they have been a 

 separate tribe long enough to have altered their customs considerably 

 in this respect. The principal mark was a sort of triangle, with the 

 apex downwards, imprinted on each haunch. A double row of lines, 

 with little crosses between, was drawn down obliquely upon each 

 cheek, and others of the same kind, beginning in the small of the 

 back, came round to the breast. This part of the body was stamped 

 also with many triangular spots, of which the largest were about an 

 inch long; and some of them had, besides, rude figures, representing 

 tortoises, imprinted on the breast and sides. The arms down to the 

 elbow were tattooed in the same manner with rows of small triangles." 



During the three following days we were engaged in working past 

 the Duke of Clarence's Island, also discovered by Byron, and lying 

 to the southeast of the preceding. No inhabitants were seen upon 

 it, though we afterwards learned that it was well peopled. 



" Friday, January 29. The night was cloudy, and so dark that 

 objects were discovered with difficulty at a little distance from the 

 ship. About two o'clock the noise of surf was distinguished, and 

 shortly after land was seen about a mile off. We lay to till morning, 

 and then proceeded to examine what might be fairly called our 

 discovery, for, though we afterwards learned that it had been visited 

 by a whaler, no information had been given to the public by which it 

 could be placed on a chart. It was a coral island, larger than any of 

 those we had seen since we left Oahu, perhaps twelve miles in cir- 

 cumference. Its form was that of a bow, or rather a hollow crescent, 

 the interior being occupied by a lagoon. About half the circumference 

 was composed of coral reef, over which the sea beat; the rest was 

 made up of a dozen or more detached islets, varying from a mile to a 

 few rods in length. The land appeared to be higher than is usual on 

 these low islands, being elevated, in some parts, as much as twenty 

 feet above the sea. Many of the islets were covered with groves of 

 cocoa-nut trees. 



" We were not long in doubt as to its being inhabited. About sun- 

 rise a fleet of eighteen canoes, carrying four or five persons each, put 

 off from one of the islets, and paddled out to sea. Their object seemed 

 to be fishing, and we were much surprised to observe that our presence 

 appeared to produce no excitement among them. They pursued their 

 occupation without taking the least notice of us. This, however, may 

 have been merely a ruse to gain an opportunity of quietly observing 

 us. The canoes, like those we saw at Oatafu, were made of several 



