290 A Letter on Otaheite. 



View of Otaheite, containing a description of the Polynesia Isl- 

 ands, an account of their Natural History and inhabitants, and 

 researches into their origin and antiquity. By J. A. Maeren- 



HANT. 



CONTENTS OF THE CHAPTERS. 



Chapter I. Description of all the Islands of the Polynesia; with an account of the 

 newly formed Islands, and the reefs round the larger Islands; with plates illus- 

 trating the scenery. 



Chapter II. Similarity of usages, customs and language in all the Islands of the 

 Pacific in West Longitude ; and the necessary inference, that they have a com- 

 mon origin. 



Chapter III. Of their religion, with an account of their extraordinary traditions, 

 respecting the creation of the world, the deluge, the preservation of the human 

 race, the destruction of a former continent, and the formation of these Islands. 



Chapter IV. Their religious rites, ceremonies, and mode of worship, with con- 

 jectures as to the reasons on which they are founded. With plates. 



Chapter V. Their government, policy, orders of nobility, and classification of So- 

 ciety ; and their respective prerogatives, rights and privileges. 



Chapter VI. Of their wars, of their military dress and weapons ; of their solemn 

 consultations previous to declaring war ; of their oracles and auguries ; of their 

 marches, order of battle and military usages. With plates. 



Chapter VII. Of their mode of life, and general customs; including music, dan- 

 cing, games, theatrical representations, feasts, solemnities; their surgery, med- 

 icine, diseases ; their mode of education. With plates. 



Chapter VIII. Of their present barbarous condition, including an account of some 

 remains of ancient science, which however are sufficient to prove that this peo- 

 ple, in a period of remote antiquity, had made considerable advances in civili- 

 zation ; particularly astronomy, and the mysteries of Oro. 



Chapter IX. An inquiry into the true origin of this people, and whether it is 

 probable, as their traditions informs us, they are the remains of a nation form- 

 erly inhabiting a great continent, now submerged. Whence and in what man- 

 ner these Islands were peopled. 



