TAHITI. 23 



set in the ground, with intervals of about an inch between them, for 

 the admission of light and air. To the top of these a plate-piece of 

 the hibiscus, a light and strong wood, is 'lashed with sinnet. From 

 this the rafters rise on all sides, and meet in a ridge, which is about 

 half the length of the building. The rafters touch each other, and 

 are covered with small mats made of the pandanus leaf. These are 

 closely fitted together, and lapped over each other, forming an imper- 

 vious and durable roof. The floor is the natural earth; there are no 

 partitions, but tapa or matting is employed as an occasional screen. 

 A building of this description may be erected for about fifty dollars. 





fiji' ^'i-'i^ V frT i iir rirTTr 1 ^ — fra 



NATIVE HOUSE, TAHITI. 



The Tahitians use neither tables nor chairs. Their bedsteads are 

 formed of a framework of cane, raised a short distance from the 

 ground, upon which a few mats are laid. A pillow stuffed with 

 aromatic herbs is in general use among the better class. 



The natives are generally to be found in their houses, in a circle, 

 chatting, reading, and singing, or smoking, unless they be, as is often 

 the case, asleep. They are seldom to be seen engaged in manual 

 labour, except on the sides of the streams where they are employed 

 in washing, or at the residences of the chiefs. 



I hesitate to speak of the females of this island, for I differ from 

 all who have gone before me in relation to their vaunted beauty. I 

 did not see among them a single woman whom I could call handsome. 

 They have, indeed, a soft sleepiness about the eyes, which may be 

 fascinating to some, but I should rather ascribe the celebrity their 

 charms have obtained among navigators, to their cheerfulness and 

 gaiety. Their figures are bad, and the greater part of them are 

 parrot-toed. They are exceedingly prone to prattling, or may rather 

 be said to have a tattling disposition, for they cannot keep even their 

 own secrets. 



This want of reserve is not confined to the women : the men are 

 also incapable of keeping a secret. A crime is divulged almost as 



