SECOND VOYAGE 149 



displayed to them when they first drew near the shore. 

 From their unsuspicious manner of coming on board, and of 

 receiving them at first on shore, it appears they are seldom 

 disturbed by either foreign or domestic troubles. They 

 are, however, not unprovided with very formidable weapons 

 such as clubs and spears, made of hard wood, also bows 

 and arrows. 



They have a singular custom of putting everything you 

 give them to their heads, by way of thanks. Very often the 

 women would take hold of Captain Cook's hand, kiss it, 

 and lift it to their heads. 



A peculiar barbarism prevails in these isles. They 

 observed that the greater part of the people, both men and 

 women, had lost one or both their little fingers.* They 

 endeavoured, but in vain, to find out the reason of this 

 mutilation. It was neither peculiar to rank, age, nor sex ; 

 nor is it done at any certain age, as they saw those of all 

 ages on whom the amputation had been just made ; and 

 except some young children, they found few who had both 

 hands perfect. As it was more common among the aged 

 than the young, some were of opinion that it was occasioned 

 by the death of their parents, or some other near relation. 

 They also burn or make incisions in their cheeks, near the 

 cheek-bone. The reason of this was equally unknown. 

 They all appeared healthy, strong, and vigorous a proof 

 of the goodness of the climate in which they live. 



Leaving these islands, they made sail to the southward it 

 being Captain Cook's intention to proceed directly to Queen 

 Charlotte's Sound in New Zealand, there to take in wood 

 and water, and then to go on farther discoveries to the south 

 and east. He was very desirous of having some intercourse 

 with the natives of this country about Poverty or Tolaga 

 Bays, where he apprehended they were more civilized than 

 at Queen Charlotte's Sound, in order to give them some hogs, 

 fowls, seeds, and roots, which he had provided for the 

 purpose. They arrived on the 21st, and passing Cape 

 Kidnapper, they saw some canoes put off from the shore. 

 Upon this they brought to, in order to give them time to 

 come on board. 



Those in the first canoe which came alongside were 

 fishers, and exchanged some fish for pieces of cloth and 

 nails. In the next were two men, who, by their dress and 

 behaviour, seemed to be chiefs. These two were easily 

 prevailed on to come on board, when they were presented 

 with nails and other articles. They were so fond of nails 



* This custom is not peculiar to the inhabitants of the Friendly 

 Isles. See Recherches Philosophiques sur lea Americains, torn, ii., 

 p. 253, etc. 



