1846.] COMPLEXION OF FISHERMEN. 95 



The same observation holds with regard to the natives of 

 the Sandwich Islands and Tahiti, who are said to have 

 degenerated since the introduction of religion, or rather 

 the Tabu against bathing and fishing, formerly practised; 

 and lastly, to come even to the Equatorial regions, we 

 have the Bajows, or fishermen of Borneo, some shades 

 whiter than their brethren of the interior. The use of 

 fish may have its weight, but the fact of their possessing 

 a purer skin and cleaner complexion remains. The race 

 at Cagayan appears, however, to possess a greater mixture 

 of Malay and Spanish than was observed at Luban, Ylin, 

 or Samboanga. The interior of their habitations was 

 more cleanly, and but very few instances were remarked 

 of their using the Areka. I noticed, however, one or two 

 plants of the sirih (or leaf in which it is enveloped, in 

 order to form, with lime, the bujio) very carefully 

 trained over a lattice work and guarded by a fencing, 

 which shews that it is still considered as a luxury. I did 

 not, however, notice any of the Areka Palm beyond the 

 village gardens, and of these but few. 



The entire group presents the appearance of an up- 

 heaved mass, the composition of the greatest elevations, 

 which are rugged and weather-worn, being entirely similar 

 to the coral islands of the Pacific, and exhibiting com- 

 plete forms of brain-stone madrepores, and other zoo- 

 phytes. On this account they offer but little opportunity 

 for cultivation, being entirely dependent, in some places, 

 on the small portions of earth which have been filled into 

 the cavities. On the great island immediately above the 

 town, the soil is more abundant, the surface of the hill 

 smooth and composed of a reddish earth, apparently 



