282 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. 



the state of manhood, and among- the females is 

 ahnost entu*ely confined to the old women. 



The fondness of these people for flowers and 

 strong-scented plants is remarkable^ — they wear 

 them in their hair, thrust under the armlets and 

 girdle, or as garlands round the neck. Among the 

 chief favourites may be mentioned an amaranth 

 with purple leaves, giving out a very rich colour 

 upon pressure being apphed, and a species of mint- 

 like herb which they dry in bunches, and carry 

 about with them. 



In addition to the drum formerly mentioned, and 

 large shells — Cassis or Triton — with a hole at one 

 end, used as trumpets, we saw 

 a small Pandean pipe made of 

 portions of reed of different 

 lengths, and a tube of bamboo, 

 two feet long, which gives out a 

 sound like a horn when blown 

 into. 



The staple article of food is the yam, which is 

 produced here in great abundance, of large size, 

 and excellent quality. Several other tubers, or 

 roots, are eaten. Among them is that of a species of 

 Calladium, which requires much cooking to desti'oy 

 its acridity. The cocoa-nut tree grows everywhere. 

 In the canoes we saw abundance of sugar-cane in 

 pieces two feet in length and an inch in thickness, 

 and the natives brought off to us bananas, bread- 

 fruit, mangos, and prepared arrow-root. To a cer- 



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