290 



THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Photograph by John W. Church 



COPRA IS MADE BY SPLITTING THE COCONUT IN TWO AND SUN-DRYING IT ON THE 



GROUND OR ON ROCKS 



sage — certainly none ever practiced it 

 more constantly. The oil was obtained 

 by filling large wooden bowls with the 

 meat of broken coconuts and placing 

 them in the sun. Into the oil thus drawn 

 the intensely fragrant blossoms of pua or 

 the seeds of the spicy, aromatic lime were 

 thrown, scenting it with a delightful per- 

 fume. 



MARQUESANNES WERE ADEPT IN THE ART 

 OE MASSAGE 



Men and women alike were daily mas- 

 saged with this scented oil, every muscle 

 being gently manipulated with a skill sel- 

 dom found in a modern masseuse. Usu- 

 ally two or three hours were required for 

 the operation. At its conclusion the skin 

 was like velvet in texture, without a trace 

 of oiliness. They treated their hair in a 

 similar manner, and the wonderful, lux- 

 uriant tresses were probably due to the 

 attention given them in the use of coco 

 oil and massage. 



To it also, I am sure, must be sfiven 



credit for the clear skins and powerful 

 muscular development of the warriors. 

 Even today, disease-ridden as they are, it 

 would be difficult to find finer specimens 

 of apparent physical strength than one 

 sees in the Marquesas. 



BABIES SWAM BEFORE THEY COULD WALK 



Beyond the preparation of the single 

 daily meal, her massage, and such tappa 

 or mat' making as desire or necessity 

 prompted, the life of the Marquesanne 

 was devoted entirely to pleasure. The 

 quiet bays and tumbling streams made 

 ideal bathing places, and warrior and 

 maiden alike were almost amphibious. 

 Even the babies were taught to swim be- 

 fore they could walk alone. 



Like all Polynesians, they were pas- 

 sionately fond of flowers, and many of 

 their hours were spent in deftly weaving 

 blossoms, leaves, and ferns into wreaths 

 and necklaces to be worn during the day 

 by their men and themselves. Strangely 

 enough, among such a pleasure-loving 



