TONGATABU. 137 



among adults is oh per cent., and among children it exceeds 

 4^ per cent. 



Tlie population is diminishing in Tongatabu ; it consists 

 of nearly 9000 souls, and, in the small islands which make 

 part of the group, is distributed as follows : — Eua, 500 ; 

 Eua-iki, 100 ; Atata, 100. The Island of Kaaffa, or 

 Pilstaart, is at present uninhabited, its population having 

 latterly emigrated to Eua. Kaafia is but three miles in 

 its greatest length, and without any anchorage ; it is the 

 most southern isle of the group, and also the most elevated, 

 havino; an altitude from 600 to 800 feet. The number of 

 whites at Tongatabu is fifty-four. The inhabitants live in 

 villages which do not exceed sixty-eight in the whole of 

 this little group. The natives generally intermarry with 

 their own relatives, and it woidd seem that there is but 

 little acquaintanceship between one village and another. 



The Tongans belong to the great Malayan family, as do 

 the Hawaiians, the Tahitians, the Marquesans, the Samoans, 

 and the ISTew Zealanders. They are a fine race, tall, 

 robust, of a lighter complexion than the inhabitants of the 

 other isles that we have visited in this cruise. They have 

 little or no beard. Though their noses are flat and their 

 nostrils wide, many of the men and -women might pass for 

 handsome types. The higher class among the Tongans is 

 very distinguishable by its physical characteristics from the 

 common people, being of loftier stature, and lighter colour, 

 from better nourishment in childhood, and less exposure 

 afterwards ; their manners are as courteous as those of the 



