SAMOAN GROUP. 155 



which, forming a kind of tent, by being passed over a ridge-pole or 

 rope, and falling on the ground, answers all the purposes required.* 



On one, and sometimes on both sides of the centre-post of the 

 houses, is a small circular hearth, enclosed by stones of larger size ; 

 this is the place for burning the dried leaves of the cocoa-nut, which 

 serve them for light at night. Although these do not give out much 

 smoke, yet as they burn for a long time, the house gradually becomes 

 filled with soot, for there is no outlet above for its escape, f 



As they always use the flambeau to light them on their return 

 from their feasts, it produces a singular and pretty effect to see an 

 assembly breaking up, and the different parties winding through the 

 groves with torches, throwing the whole into bold relief. A rude 

 lamp is also used, made of a cocoa-nut shell, with a little oil in it, and 

 a piece of vine-stalk for a wick, and likewise the nut of the Aleurites 

 triloba, or candle-nut, several of which are strung on a thin stick. 



Many white-washed houses are now to be seen, for the natives 

 have been taught the use of lime by the missionaries, and are 

 beoinninff to use it in their dwellings. All the missionaries' houses 

 have plastered walls, and board floors, and are very comfortable. 

 There is a great quantity of fine timber on these islands, for building 

 purposes. The timber of the bread-fruit tree and Hibiscus, are alone 

 made use of by the natives. The missionaries have their planks or 

 boards sawed by hand, and generally by foreign carpenters. 



The food of the Samoans is prepared in the way practised at 

 Tahiti, and generally consists of bread-fruit, bananas, taro, sweet- 

 potatoes, and yams. Fish is supplied in quantities from the reef, and 

 they also eat the large chestnut, vi-apple, and arrow-root, the fecula 

 of which they begin to manufacture in some quantities. Although it 

 would scarcely be supposed necessary, where every thing is so 

 bountifully supplied by nature, yet they make provision for times of 

 scarcity and for their voyages, of the bread-fruit, made when green 

 into a kind of paste, and rolled in banana-leaves. This undergoes a 

 partial fermentation, and is called Mahi. It is not unlike half-baked 

 dough, and has a sour unwholesome taste. They eat birds, &c, but 

 a large wood-maggot which is found on the trees, is looked upon as 

 the most delicious food they have. 



* Musquitoes are exceedingly annoying to strangers, but I did not remark that the 

 natives were troubled with them. Their bodies being well oiled is a great preservation 

 against the bites of these insects. 



f The prevalence of sore eyes is said to be owing to the smoke of the lamps. 



