FEJER GROUP. 175 



ation as each chief is anxious to swell the number of his 

 fighting men. They are evidently a distinct race from the 

 rest of the Polynesians. They are of a color almost black, 

 while their hair is frizzled or crisped, though not so much so as 

 the Africans ; the nose is broad and flat, and the eyes are jet 

 black, and have a wild, restless expression. They are person- 

 ally well-formed, muscular, and of good size. The men have 

 a custom of bedaubing their faces and bodies with a mixture of 

 lamp-black and cocoa-nut oil, which gives them a disgusting 

 appearance. 



In character, they are cruel, deceitful, passionate, and 

 treacherous. We had repeated proofs of the latter in their 

 various attempts to surprise and cut off our boats, while em- 

 ployed in surveying duties. Another universal trait in their 

 character is covetousness, and is the incentive to stealing, and 

 many other odious acts. They are also great cannibals ; indeed, 

 they carry this revolting practice to a greater extent than any 

 other savages yet known to the civilized world. The bodies of 

 enemies slain in battle do not satisfy their appetite for it. Vio- 

 lence, stratagem, and sacrifices to the gods, are resorted to 

 for this horrible purpose. The chiefs are fond of giving en- 

 tertainments, and, on such occasions, human flesh, either 

 roasted or boiled, is handed round to the guest. When a new 

 spirit-house is built, several human beings are slaughtered, 

 and the bodies eaten by the Abati, or priest, and his friends. 



The usual dress of the men consists of the maro, and of the 

 women, a sort of apron or girdle about eighteen inches in 

 width. Children of both sexes, until they arrive at the age of 

 puberty, go entirely naked. Women only are tattooed — the 

 operation is performed by persons of their own sex — and the 

 farts thus ornamented are those concealed by the dress, and 

 sometimes the lips and fingers. The women firmly believe 



