CAPTAIN TUCKEY'S NARRATIVE. 71 



ascertain the rank of the persons, to whom they are given, 

 and to jDroportion the value accordingly, in order, as much 

 as possible, to prevent jealousies. 



" A great cause of the disputes of navigators with un- 

 civilized people is in unauthorised freedoms with their 

 females ; and hence every species of curiosity or familiarity 

 with them, which may create jealousy in the men, is to be 

 strictly avoided ; taking it for granted, that, in a state of 

 society where the favours of the women are considered as a 

 saleable or transferable commodity by the men, the latter 

 will be the first to offer them. 



" As one of the objects of the expedition is to view, and 

 describe manners, it will be highly improper to interrupt, 

 in any manner; the ceremonies of the natives, however they 

 may shock humanity or create disgust; and it is equally 

 necessary, in the pursuits of the different Naturalists, to 

 avoid offending tlie superstitions of the natives in any of 

 their venerated objects. Hence, in inhabited or enclosed 

 places appearing to be property, permission should be first 

 sought to cut down trees (particularly fruit-bearing ones,) 

 which, as well as animals, are often held sacred. When no 

 superstitious motive interferes, a few beads will, probably, 

 always purchase the required permission. 



" As it is probable that the different pursuits of the 



