HAWAII. 233 



and beef. Of these articles only a small amount is now exported, 

 owins to the taboo on cattle. Leather is here tanned in sufficient 

 quantities to meet the wants of the domestic manufacture, and there 

 are many trees having astringent barks, adapted to the use of the 

 tanner. 



A species of morus abounds in the forests: from this, a tapa is 

 made that is highly esteemed, and which is exported to other parts of 

 the island. 



The cultivation in this district is much affected by the annoyance 

 of caterpillars, which prove very destructive to the crops. 



Waimea enjoys frequent communication with Honolulu, which 

 affords the best market in the group. Besides, there are three or four 

 stores, kept by foreigners, for trade and barter. 



In 1830, Waimea was first brought into notice by Governor Adams, 

 who took up his residence there for the purpose of taking the wild 

 cattle, that had become extremely numerous. While he remained in 

 it, there was much activity and life: all trades found employment; 

 roads were made, and ox-carts travelled a distance of fifty miles. 

 Now, since the taboo has been laid, the place is comparatively 

 deserted ; and unless the cultivation of the soil be resorted to, it will, 

 before many years, become a barren waste. 



During the period of its prosperity, many of the habitations of 

 the natives were improved, and they advanced much in civilization. 

 Some of them own horses and cattle, and are industrious ; but the 

 mass, who have lived on this precarious employment, and found their 

 subsistence in that way, have become, since it ceased, more indolent 

 than before. 



In this district there are forty-two schools: half of these are for 

 adults and half for children ; all are taught by native teachers, except- 

 ing two, which are under the instruction of the missionary, the Rev. 

 Mr. Lyons and his wife. In these there are about four hundred 

 children and five hundred adults. 



The population is registered at six thousand five hundred, of whom 

 four thousand seven hundred and fifty-four can read; about one-fourth 

 of this number write and understand some arithmetic ; nearly four 

 hundred study geography. The number of communicants is two 

 thousand eight hundred and fifty-six. 



From a comparison of births and deaths, the population would 

 seem to be decreasing. Of the former there were registered in 1839 



VOL. IV. 59 



