26 



TONGATABOO. 



sian islanders ; and the whalers have been in the habit of resorting 

 thither, because they experienced little difficulty, and are in no 

 danger of being molested by the natives. He mentioned that many 

 of his islanders were now abroad, on board of whale-ships, where 

 they earned good wages, and afterwards returned to the island with 

 some property ; he said that Rotuma contained very many people. 

 He who was designated as the high chief, was a pleasing, handsome 

 young man, and appeared modest and gentle in his deportment. 

 Some thought he resembled in physiognomy our American Indians, 

 but I did not myself remark it. 



The natives of Tonga, in habits, customs, looks, and general 

 appearance, are so like the Samoans, that we were greatly struck 

 with the resemblance ; indeed, in writing of Samoa, I mentioned that 

 many things have been derived from Tonga, particularly their tapa 

 covering from the waist downwards, called siapo. The two races 

 also agree in having no covering for the head, and the females 

 resemble each other. The missionaries, through the king's ordinance, 

 have caused the females to clothe themselves up to the neck with the 

 pareu ; but this is only conformed to before the missionaries, for we 

 as frequently saw it worn in the native fashion. 



NATIVE OF TONGA. 



In colour the Tongese are a little lighter than the Samoans, and 

 the young children are almost if not quite white. As they grow up, 

 they are left, both males and females, to run about in a state of 

 nature, with their hair cropped close, except a small curly lock over 

 each ear. This is a practice which has before been spoken of, as 



