THE KINGSMILL ISLANDERS. 83 



ject forward, so as to give the eyes the appearance of being sunken ; 

 their beards and mustaches are black and fine like their hair. Their 

 average height is about five feet eight inches, and the great majority- 

 would be called small men. The women are much smaller in propor- 

 tion than the men, with delicate features, slight figures, and, as before 

 remarked, they were generally thought pretty. 



In this description, it will be necessary to remark, that the inhabi- 

 tants of Makin are not included ; for they differ so much in point of 

 appearance from the others, that were it not for their manners, customs, 

 and language, they could not be classed among the same race, A 

 drawing of one is represented in the annexed engraving. 



INHABITANT OF MAKIN. 



Wood, who had lived among the latter people a long time, ac- 

 counted for their difference in appearance by their being at all times 

 abundantly supplied with food, and living an inactive life, with nothing 

 to disturb their peace, which has continued unbroken for upwards of a 

 century. They have from this cause become naturally indolent; and 

 their fullest enjoyment is in taking their ease. Their colour is a shade 

 lighter than that of the natives of the other islands of this group ; their 

 stature taller, and their whole frame much larger; their limbs are full 

 and well rounded ; their bodies as smooth as a child's ; their features 

 oval, and more regular and delicate than those of the natives of the 

 southern islands of the same group. 



As respects their social state, the people are divided into three 

 classes: the nea or omata (chiefs), katoka (landholders), and kawa 

 (slaves). The first and last divisions constitute about three-fourths of 

 the population, and are about equal in numbers. The katokas are 



