VOL. XXVI.3 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 445 



ambergris, but not transparent. The manner of their sabsistence at sea, which 

 was for 70 days together, continually driven by the wind, was thus : they cast 

 out a sort of net, made of a great number of small twigs of trees tied toge- 

 ther, having a large mouth for the fish to enter in at, and ending in a point to 

 prevent their getting out again. The fish they took after this manner was all 

 the nourishment they had, and rain-water saved in cocoa-shells. i 



They have no cows in their islands, at the sight of some here they ran away, 

 as they did likewise at the barking of a dog. Neither have they cats, stags, 

 horses, or in general any quadruped, nor any fowls but sea-fowls, excepting 

 hens, which they breed up, but never eat their eggs. Notwithstanding this 

 their want of every thing, they are very cheerful and contented with their con- 

 dition ; their songs and dances are exact and regular ; when they sing it is in 

 concert, every one observing the same mode and gestures, which makes it very 

 agreeable. They are surprised at the government, politeness, and manners of 

 the Europeans, of whom they had not the least knowledge. They admire not 

 only the solemnities and ceremonies of the church in celebrating divine service, 

 but also the music, instruments, dances, and arms of the Spaniards, but gun- 

 powder is what raises the greatest admiration in them. They wonder at the 

 whiteness of the Europeans, in respect of whom they are perfectly tawny, as 

 well as the inhabitants of this country. 



It does not yet appear that they have either any knowledge of a Deity, or 

 that they worship idols. Their life is perfectly savage, minding nothing but 

 eating and drinking, in which they observe no set time, but eat and drink at 

 any time or place, when hungry or thirsty, or they can find any thing to satisfy 

 nature. Their civility and respect consists in taking hold of the hand or foot 

 of the person they honour, and gently rubbing his face. Among their utensils 

 they have some saws, not made of iron, but of a large shell, called here taclobo, 

 rubbed and sharpened on a certain kind of stone. They were surprised to see 

 the number of carpenter's tools that were used about building a ship hercj 

 viewing them all, one after another, with a great deal of attention. They have 

 no metals in their country. The father missionary made each of them a present 

 of a large piece of iron, which they received with as much joy as if it had been 

 so much gold ; and they are so afraid it should be stolen from them, that they 

 lay it under their heads when they go to sleep. They have no other arms but 

 lances or darts, made of human bones, very well sharpened and fixed on. They 

 are naturally very peaceful, but if any quarrel happens among them, it is decided 

 with some blows on the head with the fist, which yet very rarely happens ; for 

 "^when they would come to a close fight they separate them, and they are soon 

 reconciled again. They are not dull and heavy, but, on the contrary, have a 



