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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Photograph from Paul Gooding 



NATIVE TAHITIAN GIRL 



Even Stevenson grew extravagant when dwelling upon the charm? of the women of 

 Tahiti. Here is one traveler's eulogry : "Bridge of nose incurved, nostrils slightly flattened. 

 and lips, if a trifle thick, yet in perfect harmony with pearls of teeth and those deep brown 

 eyes, so sweet and voluptuous without offense! Hair black as ebony, flowing over the 

 shoulders, sometimes tied with a bit of bright ribbon and capped by that wreath: legs bare. 

 feet, too. ankles just lovely. Some are smoking cigarettes rolled in pandanus leaves." 



