TONGATABOO. 25 
Rotuma contained very many people. He who was designated as the 
high chief, was a pleasing, handsome young man, and appeared mo- 
dest 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 appear- 
ance, 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 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 de- 
veloped. We had an opportunity of contrasting their physical cha- 
racters with those of several other natives, and particularly with a 
‘native of Erromago. The features of the latter were more nearly allied 
VOL. III. Cc 4 
