THE KINGS MILL ISLANDERS. 105 



him from his sufferings. The natives call this disease sometimes 

 gune-maior, or the southwest gune, from the fact that it was introduced 

 into their islands from that direction: and as the Peacock found it 

 prevailing extensively at the Depeyster Islands, it is but reasonable to 

 suppose that it came from that quarter. It was most prevalent at 

 Taputeouea, the most southern of the Kingsmill Islands, and gradually 

 becomes less so in the northern islands ; Wood asserts that he has 

 never seen a single case of it at Makin. 



The climate of these islands is equable, and though of high tempe- 

 rature, it is found to be less oppressive than in most tropical countries. 

 For the most part constant breezes prevail, and frequent rain falls, 

 which moderates the great heat, and at the same time confers fertility 

 on the soil. From October to April, the time of the Peacock's visit, 

 is the winter, and is especially distinguished by the frequency of rains. 

 Variable winds from the northward and westward prevail at this 

 season, and they have violent gales from the southwest; these, accord- 

 ing to Kirby, are typhoon-like. The natives plant stakes to prop up 

 their houses, and tie them down, to prevent them from being blown 

 away. These storms last for three or four days, veering gradually 

 round to the north. The leeward sides of the islands receive most 

 damage, and both land and trees are swept away. Kirby states, that 

 the lee side of Kuria has worn away during his residence. In these 

 gales the trunks of large trees are thrown on the west side of the 

 island, together with large lumps of resin, similar to that found in the 

 soil at New Zealand, which the natives use to scent their oils with : 

 these trees, sometimes two feet in diameter, were thought to be of the 

 pine species ; many stones are found in their roots, from eight to ten 

 inches in diameter ; these are a fine basalt, and the natives use them 

 for various purposes. 



From May till September the weather is fine, with clear skies, and 

 only occasional showers ; and during this time the wind blows con- 

 stantly from the eastward. This is the season in which the natives 

 make their voyages ; they never venture abroad in the winter months, 

 even from island to island, being well aware of the danger of so doing. 



Earthquakes are occasionally experienced in these islands. Kirby 

 says he has felt ten or twelve sufficiently severe to shake down a 

 house : the natives exhibit no fear on account of them. The direction 

 of the oscillations seems to be from the southwest. 



The population of the group, from the best data which was obtained, 

 is about sixty thousand souls. At Drummond's Island, where there 

 was the best opportunity of a personal examination, the estimates 

 were above ten thousand : this is considered the most populous island 



vol. v. 14 



