54 ELLICE'S AND KINGSMILL GROUP. 



make the titi, was also seen. The taro-pits were dug to the depth of 

 eight or ten feet, and were fifty feet long by thirty broad ; they were 

 planted with taro and api, in rows: in the centre was a few inches of 

 water, and the whole earth was moist. The taro, however, was small, 

 although the natives gave an account of its growing to the length of 

 two feet. The wells were fifteen feet deep; the water in them was 

 brackish. These excavations have been made at much cost of time 

 and labour. 



All the party on shore were much incommoded with the rudeness of 

 the natives, who did all in their power to pilfer from them ; and, if their 

 attention were diverted for a moment, the hands of a native were felt 

 at their pockets. When detected, they would hold up their hands, with 

 open palms, and laugh. This boldness was more especially confined 

 to a few, and one in particular, a young chief, who was a tall, good- 

 looking person, but had a vain and impudent expression of countenance, 

 which was rendered disgusting by the kind of leprosy before spoken 

 of. It is impossible to give a correct idea of the annoyances that our 

 gentlemen were subjected to from the rudeness of some, the excess of 

 civility of others, and the constant watchfulness that became necessary 

 to avoid the pickpockets. An old man was about smearing himself in 

 cocoanut-oil, with a cup full of salve, in which he would dip his fingers, 

 and endeavour to rub them in their faces. This afforded much amuse- 

 ment to the party, while the natives seemed astonished that the attempt 

 was repulsed ; for there was little doubt of its being intended as a great 

 compliment thus to anoint their guests. 



In many instances they showed a disposition to get the officers into 

 their power for some evil design. Messrs. Peale and Rich, who were 

 both well armed, had crossed the island in search of birds, plants, and 

 shells ; on their return, they visited the town next adjoining to Utiroa, 

 and but a short distance from it. On entering the town, their sus- 

 picions were somewhat excited by the number of armed men around. 

 Mr. Peale describes the natives as obliging them to sit down by 

 forcing their legs from under them. These things were permitted to 

 a certain extent, the natives all standing around armed ; but a prompt- 

 ness of action, and show of using their arms, extricated them from 

 their difficulties. 



In front of the mariapa were three or four houses of the common 

 size, one of which was called by the natives te-o-tabu, or sacred 

 enclosure, but it was only distinguished by its being supported at the 

 corners on blocks of coral. The natives were unwilling that any one 

 should enter this enclosure. 



During the day, the greater part of the large number of natives they 



