HAWAII. 221 



of tobacco, and that he has known some deaths from this cause. He, 

 however, bears testimony, that there is some reformation in regard to 

 this debasing habit. 



The diseases are very similar to those mentioned in other places, 

 with the exception of several cases of decided consumption which 

 have been met with. The climate is believed to be, upon the whole, 

 more healthy than other parts of the island, and the weather is gene- 

 rally cool, with a bracing air. 



On the 12th of February, I witnessed an interesting sight, — the 

 chase of blackfish, of which a school was seen in the afternoon in the 

 bay. Upon this, the natives who were fishing, and those on shore, 

 put off in their canoes to get to seaward of them : when this was 

 effected, they began making a great noise, to drive the fish in; and 

 finally succeeded in forcing many of them into shoal water, from 

 whence they were dragged on the beach, when about twenty of large 

 size were taken. I measured one, which was eight and a half feet 

 long. The whole scene was animated, and the fish seemed completely 

 bewildered and exhausted from fright. They afforded a fine feast to 

 all the inhabitants of the bay, besides yielding plenty of oil, of which 

 they are very fond. The moment a school of porpoises is discovered, 

 it is their usual practice to drive them in, gently at first, but when 

 they are sufficiently close, a loud clamour begins, in which old and 

 young of both sexes join. 



Mr. Drayton was, with the exception of Dr. Pickering, the last to 

 visit the crater. On the road to Keaui, the former examined a curious 

 cave, called by the natives Pariorii, which is said to have been one of 

 the dancing-halls of the attendants of the goddess Pele. This legend 

 also points out the drums upon which the music was performed. 

 These are hollow cones or pillars formed by the lava blistering up, 

 and remaining hollow : when struck, they give a deep sound, not unlike 

 that from a large drum. The cave is said to have been much cur- 

 tailed in its dimensions about a century ago. 



At all the small places along the coast there are some petty officers, 

 mostly connected with and appointed by the missionaries. Besides the 

 religious duties they perform, they are likewise tax-gatherers, have a 

 good deal of authority over the people, and were found to be the 

 greatest extortioners our gentlemen met with. 



At some of the houses, the natives were seen to be very much afraid 

 of the tax-gatherers, and when any of them made their appearance, all 

 merriment would cease ; those who were indulging in a pipe or cigar, 

 would at once put them aside, and all seemed under restraint. 



The native women are generally found employed, either in plaiting 



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