THE KINGSMILL ISLANDERS. 
89 
of different sizes, the largest of which is about a mile long by half a 
mile wide ; some of them exceed twenty-four feet in height above the 
surrounding soil: with this altitude, these are very conspicuous on a 
low coral island. Each of these mounds is supposed to be the place 
for a Kainakaki, the great beauty of which is invisible to mortal eyes. 
Here the spirits pass their time in feasting and dancing; and whatever 
they delighted in on earth, is now enjoyed to the fullest extent. The 
ground of the Kainakaki is considered sacred, and though overgrown 
with trees, no native will venture to cut them down: when a tree falls, 
it is taken away, and another planted in its place. 
The daily occupation of these natives will serve to give an estimate 
of their character, and would seem to be necessary before speaking of 
their customs. 
They rise at daylight, wash their face, hands, and teeth, with fresh 
water, and afterwards anoint themselves with scented cocoanut-oil. 
They then proceed to their w r ork, and continue at it until the heat 
becomes oppressive, which it does by nine or ten o’clock, when they 
return to their houses, wash themselves again, and take their first 
meal: all the middle of the day is passed in their houses, or in the 
mariapa, in sleeping, or chatting with their neighbours. About four 
o’clock in the afternoon they again resume their work, and continue 
engaged at it until sunset, when they return, and wash themselves for 
the third time. They then take their second meal, and shortly after 
dark retire to sleep. They have no torches, (except for great occa¬ 
sions,) or any other means of lighting their houses, and are thus 
compelled to retire early, so that their amusements, as well as their 
occupations, cease with the day. The character of these islanders 
has many things in it to condemn : although they are deceitful and 
dishonest in their dealings, yet they are, in their intercourse with each 
other, hospitable and generous; they never buy or sell, but if any 
person desires an article which another has, he asks for it, and if not 
too valuable and esteemed, is seldom refused : it is the general under¬ 
standing that such favours are to be returned, and that the request 
should only be made by persons who can afford to do so. They 
always place food before a stranger, and any one who has not a suffi¬ 
cient supply at home is at liberty to join the meals of a more fortunate 
neighbour. According to Kirby, there are many who are desirous 
of avoiding this tax upon them, and take their meals after dark, when 
they are not so liable to be intruded upon by their hungry fellow- 
townsmen. 
They are addicted to thieving, although they are severely punished 
for it when detected. They are easily excited to anger, but are soon 
VOL. V. H2 12 
