148 SAMOAN GROUP. 



paste, and rolled in banana-leaves. This undergoes a partial fermen- 

 tation, and is called mahi. It is not unlike half-baked dough, and has 

 a sour unwholesome taste. They eat birds, &c, but a large wood- 

 maggot which is found on the trees, is looked upon as the most 

 delicious food they have. 



They have much variety in their cooking, and some of their dishes 

 are exceedingly rich and agreeable to the taste. They practise several 

 modes of cooking the taro-tops ; one, by tying them up with cocoa-nut 

 pulp and baking them, in which state they resemble spinach cooked 

 with cream, but are sweeter. Another dish is called faiai, made of the 

 scraped and strained cocoa-nut pulp boiled down to the consistency of 

 custard. It is eaten both hot and cold. 



The habits of the Samoans are regular. They rise with the sun, 

 and immediately take a meal. They then bathe and oil themselves, 

 and go to their occupations for the day. These consist in part of the 

 cultivation of taro and yams ; building houses and canoes. Many 

 fish; others catch birds, for which purpose they use nets affixed to 

 long poles. They generally find enough to employ the mornings, in 

 getting their daily supply. After this is done, they lounge about, or 

 play at their various games, eat about one o'clock, and again at night, 

 retiring to rest about nine o'Cluck. The men du ctll the hard work, 

 even to cookery. 



The women are held in much consideration among this people, are 

 treated with great attention, and not suffered to do any thing but what 

 rightfully belongs to them. They take care of the house, and of their 

 children, prepare the food for cooking, do all the in-door work, and 

 manufacture the mats and tapa. 



They are cleanly in their habits, and bathe daily ; after which they 

 anoint themselves with oil and turmeric. This custom, I have no 

 doubt tends to preserve the health by preventing the excessive perspi- 

 ration which the heat of the climate naturally brings on. It is, 

 however, at times offensive, for the oil is apt to become rancid. 



The Samoans are of a social disposition, more so, indeed, than the 

 other natives of the Polynesian islands, and they are fond of travelling. 

 The reasons they have for taking these journeys are various : thus, 

 when there is a scarcity of food in one part, or a failure of the crops, 

 they are in the habit of making a " faatamilo," or circuit, around a 

 portion of these islands, so that by the time they return, (which is at 

 the expiration of three months,) their own taro has grown and the 

 bread-fruit season come around. They are now in their turn prepared 

 to afford the same hospitality and accommodation to others. The old 

 people are usually left at the village to take care of it, whilst the 



