OF LA *EftOUSE. 33^ 



added much to the intereft fhe infpired : as foon 

 as the had brought us fome fruit, fhe went im- 

 mediately and fat down behind her mother, and 

 thence only fhe call fome looks at us, to falisfy 

 her curiofity. 



We found the pureft gratification in this 

 frugal repaft : our reflections on the life of a 

 perfon who undertakes long voyages, added 

 it ill to the idea which we formed of the happi- 

 nefs of thefe iflanders, whofe wants Nature has 

 fupplied with fo liberal a hand. 



The conduction of their houfes is adapted to 

 the finenefs of the climate, and their lightnefs 

 makes i,t neceflary to dig only as far as the rock 

 in order to lay the foundations. 



As they never experience a fevere feafon, the 

 walls are fo conftrucled as to leave a free pafTage 

 to the air : thefe confift of palifades, generally 

 formed of the Hems of bamboo, placed very dole 

 to each other. 



Our hoftefs's houfe, which flood on a Ipot of 

 ground four meters long and three wide, inflead 

 of bamboos, had its fides formed of the petioles 

 of fago-palm leaves, which though placed very 

 near one another, neverthelefs left fome inter- 

 faces, by which the external air had a free ac- 

 cefs into the habitation. 



Thefe petioles, although extremely light, are 

 very folid, as they are covered with a very hard 



bark. 



