ELLICE'S AND KINGSMILL GROUP. 41 



seen were affected in this manner; and the skin of these was much 

 lighter than in any Polynesian race they had met with. Among the 

 natives were two albinos; the colour of their skin was of a reddish 

 white, the hair of a flaxen white, with light-blue eyes, so weak as to 

 oblige them to use a shade, and to keep their eyes constantly half closed. 

 Their persons seemed also to be quite tender, and they avoided expo- 

 sure to the sun by an additional mat over the shoulders. They were 

 covered in many places with large brown freckles : their whole ap- 

 pearance was any thing but pleasing. The account they gave of 

 themselves was, that their parents were the same as the rest of the 

 islanders, and that their other children were dark. 



The tattooing was in great variety on the body; but in all, the arms 

 were tattooed alike, for there it varied only in quantity. On the body 

 it was frequently extended across the back and to the abdomen ; and 

 in many, the bodies and thighs were tattooed down as far as the knee. 

 Many of the natives designated the figures as intended to represent 

 pigeons (lupe). 



These islanders wore three kinds of mats, made of the pandanus- 

 leaf: one was similar to that described at Ellice's Group, and worn 

 as a maro ; another was worn as a girdle, of thick fringe, from eight 

 inches to a foot broad, tied about the loins so as to cover in part the 

 maro: to this they gave the name of " takai;" the last was used as a 

 wrapper about the body and legs. The fringes of these mats were all 

 dyed of various colours, and the wrapper was tinged on one side in 

 large patterns of divers colours, some in squares, others in diamond 

 forms, which at a little distance had a pretty effect. These mats were 

 worn for different purposes ; and the latter seemed to belong to the 

 higher or privileged orders, as the only person who was seen to wear 

 one was the chief. A great many of these mats were brought off for 

 sale, and bought. 



On their approach to the ship, every one was seen to have a cocoa- 

 nut leaflet tied around the neck, — a practice which attracted particular 

 notice by their endeavour to keep it constantly in view, from which it 

 was inferred, it might be with them a sign of amity and peace. In 

 all, the lobe of the ear was bored, and distended to the size of an inch 

 in diameter ; around this they insert small rings of tortoise-shell, so 

 neatly made that it is difficult to discern the place where they are 

 joined. Many of them had shells and mother-of-pearl ornaments sus- 

 pended round their necks. 



officers, while others thought it might have resulted from exposure to the sun, and moisture 

 of the climate. 



VOL. V. D2 f> 



