TONGATABOO. 27 



prevalent among the Samoans. Indeed, the similarity between the 

 appearance of the children in the two groups is such, that they 

 might be mistaken for each other. A larger proportion of fine- 

 looking people is seldom to be seen, in any portion of the globe; 

 they are a shade lighter than any of the other islanders ; their 

 countenances are generally of the European cast; they are tall and 

 well made; and their muscles are well developed. We had an 

 opportunity of contrasting their physical characters with those of 

 several other natives, and particularly with a native of Erromago. 



•:.;'/'' 



■V.i'." ' 



« 





'^fiii ill 



NATIVE OF ERROMAGO. 



The features of the latter were more nearly allied to those of the 

 negro than any we had yet seen. His hair was woolly, his face pro- 

 minent, and his lips thick. His nose, however, was not remarkably 

 broad; his eyes were small, deeply sunk, and had a lively expression; 

 his countenance was pleasing and intelligent, and his cheeks thin ; 

 his limbs were slender, and the calf of his leg high.* 



We also found some of the Feejee islanders here : the inter- 

 course between Tonga and the windward islands of the Feejee 

 Group is frequent. This intercourse is said to be the cause of the 

 warlike habits which the Tongese have acquired. The people of 

 Feejee appear to disadvantage when contrasted with those of Tonga; 

 for the latter have much larger frames, their colour is several shades 

 lighter, and their hair straight and fine, while that of the Feejee is 

 frizzled. 



* Among other peculiarities of this native of Erromago, it was stated by the low 

 whites, that instead of wrapping himself up in tapa at night, like the Tongese, he was 

 in the habit of burying himself in the sand in order to avoid the musquitoes. 



