THE AMERICAN WHALEMAN. 307 



front of a hut we observed pieces of tapa tied around some 

 cocoa-nut and other fruit trees. This we were informed 

 constituted a "taboo" of the trees; the effect of which was 

 that no one save the family who placed the taboo were al- 

 lowed to touch the fruit. It appeared that the owner of 

 the neighboring hut was sick, and unable to provide for him- 

 self, and this simple means was resorted to, that he might 

 not suffer from want. The religious observance of the ta- 

 boo has been described by almost eveiy visitor to the isl- 

 and, and it is not necessary for me to enlarge on the singu- 

 lar and interesting feature of society, farther than to say that 

 the taboo is a sacred restraint, rarely broken. I have heard 

 of streams tabooed that ships might water from them, and the 

 sacred word would pass up to the sources by word of mouth, 

 and no natives would wash their hands even in the running 

 water. But I fear much that modern civilization will preach 

 this simple restraint out of existence, and replace it with the 

 less effective machinery of patent locks, courts, and peniten- 

 tiaries. 



We were particularly charmed by a large company of 

 small children, who were playing, naked as when born, on a 

 shelving beach of sand, on which the gentle swell was break- 

 ing in miniature surf. The little brown beauties were from 

 six months to six years of age. All were fearlessly playing 

 in the water, at depths proportioned to their years; dab- 

 bling as naturally as young ducks, the elder having a watch- 

 ful eye on the younger ones. With great glee this guardian 

 would roll a sprawling, choking youngster upon the sand, 

 and by patting his shining back, enable him to cough and 

 sneeze out the effect of' a momentary submergence. I 

 judged that all over fifteen months were able to swim, and 

 take such care of themselves as was necessary in this shal- 

 low water. Those younger were making fair efforts in the 

 same accomplishment under the encouragement and direc- 



