SAMOAN TRADITION OF CREATION AND THE DELUGE. 175 



gives a different origin of the name. Its highest part is four hundred and 

 seventy-two feet above the sea. The population is about 200. 



Savaii (Sa-vy-'cc). — This island is the largest of the group. Its most 

 eastern point is about ten miles from the western point of Upolu. It is 

 about forty-eight miles long, twenty-two broad, and one hundred and fifty 

 in circumference. It contains seven hundred square miles. It has a high 

 mountain-chain running along its length, the highest point of which is more 

 than 6,000 feet above the sea-level. This is the edge of a large crater. The 

 volcanoes which formed this island seem not to have been extinct so long as 

 those which formed the other islands of the group. 



2. The People. — The iMoplc are physically a very fine race, and possess 

 good mental capabilities. Their fine personal appearance has been the 

 subject of remark of almost all intelligent visitors. Their colour is light 

 olive. The following sketch of them, by a keen observer, is a truthful 

 portrait :— " A remarkably tall, fine-looking set, with intelligent and 

 pleasing countenances, and a frank and open expression. The average 

 height of the men is five feet ten inches. Their features are not in general 

 prominent, but are well marked and distinct. The nose is short and wide 

 at the base ; the mouth large, and well filled with white and strong teeth, 

 with full and well-turned lips ; the eyes black, and often large and bright ; 

 the forehead narrow and high ; the cheek-bones prominent. Of beard they 

 have little, but their hair is strong, straight, and black." 



3. Their Origin. — What branch of the great Asiatic family they repre- 

 sent has not been determined. Some of their customs are of a decidedly 

 Jewish character. It seems pretty certain, however, that they are from 

 some part of Malaysia, and that they are the descendants of the progeni- 

 tors of the present race of all the light-coloured Polynesians. Their 

 designation — SamoxV — is derived from the patriarchal chief who headed 

 the first party that peopled the islands. His name was Moa {Mo-a), the 

 family name of the present king of Manua. Sa is a particle, which, pre- 

 fixed to a proper name, means " the familt of." Samoa, therefore, means 

 "the family of Moa"; and it is stated that the name ought to be ex- 

 tended to all the surrounding islanders, for that they are all the family 

 of Moa. 



