344 



PAUMOTU GROUP. 



to his own subjects. They have the reputation of being an honest and 

 trustworthy race. 



These islanders are certainly not all from the same stock, and those 

 of the Disappointment Group, whom we were much struck with at the 

 time of our visit, in particular differ from the others. Since we have 

 seen all the different Polynesian groups, these appear, however extra- 

 ordinary it may be, to resemble the Feejee Islanders more than any 

 other. 



By all accounts, they speak a different dialect from that of the 

 Tahitian nation. The difference is, however, not great, for I was told 

 that, it required but a few weeks for any of the natives to acquire it. 

 Mr. Hale met several Paumotuans at Matavai Bay, and among them 

 he found one by the name of Tuoni, who confirmed the accounts I have 

 detailed above. 



The population of this group I have nowhere seen given ; I have 

 therefore endeavoured to obtain the most satisfactory information in 

 relation to it : the whole amounts, in round numbers, to about ten 

 thousand, as follows : 



Anaa 

 Manhii . 











5,000 

 100 



Aratica . 











60 



Nairsa 











70 



Metia 











350 



Rurick 











. 200 



King George's 

 Vincennes 











. 700 

 30 



Raraka . 











40 



Wytoohee 

 Otooho 











70 



40 



Bow Island 











60 



Manga Reva, or Gambier Island 

 Serle Island .... 

 Clermont de Tonnerre 







2,000 



30 



120 



Rest of the group 



8,870 

 1,130 



10,000 



On the map of this group it will be seen to where the line of canni- 

 balism extends, according to native accounts. It may be said to divide 

 them into two divisions, the Christians and Heathens, or perhaps, more 

 properly, the eastern and western ; the whole comprise sixty-five islands. 

 Although there is little doubt that the natives of this group have been 

 addicted to this horrible barbarity, yet it is believed that it is not now 

 practised. 



