THE MALAY RACE. 



55 



ward, was next visited. In general appearance it entirely resembled 

 the island we had left; and indeed, one description, with very slight 

 modifications, will answer for all the coral rings. Lieut. Alden, while 

 engaged in the survey, approached near enough to induce some of the 

 natives to swim off. " They first sent away their javelins, and a new- 

 comer bearing one was turned back. They seemed friendly enough, 

 though disposed to help themselves without much ceremony, but 

 they could not be persuaded to get into the boat. One man seized 

 his note-book, and was making off ; but he returned it on seeing the 

 anxiety of the owner, backed, however, by the offer of a piece of iron. 

 This material they were very desirous of procuring, having evidently 

 obtained a knowledge of it from trading vessels." In return for articles 

 distributed, Lieut. Alden procured plumes or bunches of the feathers 

 of the frigate-bird ; a long strip of matting, of rather fine quality, about 

 eight inches in breadth, and evidently intended for clothing ; two 

 cocoa-nuts; a bundle of the twining Cassytha stems, that was worn 

 by one of the party ; a large fish-hook (perhaps of turtle bone), in 

 form and tie similar to those we afterwards saw at the Disappointment 

 Islands; also 'sinnet,' or braided cord of cocoa-nut fibre, which is in 

 use throughout the islands of the Pacific; and twisted cords, or twine, 

 of different degrees of fineness, some composed of fibrous bark, (ap- 

 parently of some Urticaceous plant,) and others of human hair. 



The absence of canoes at the above two islands is possibly con- 

 nected with the like circumstance among the inhabitants of the neigh- 

 bouring Mangareva or Gambler Group. 



Two days' sail now to the northward, in the direction of the Marque- 

 sas, brought us in sight of Honden Island. The myriads of sea-birds, 

 and the absence of cocoa palms, announced that there were no human 

 inhabitants. So, on landing, did the absence of the house-fly, and of 

 the Morinda; although the soil was found to be chiefly overgrown 

 with the Pandanus. A third danger, however, presented itself; in the 

 sharks, which were more numerous than at any other place visited. 

 Our boats were regularly followed by long processions of them; and 

 as the swell sometimes elevated the foremost above us, it required 

 some familiarity with the sea to dispel apprehensions of an attack. 

 Indisputable evidence of their prowess, was found in the mutilated 

 condition of the turtle that had sought refuge on the strand. 



In passing round the island, some 'oar-like implements' were seen 

 from one of the boats. A stone hatchet also was picked up on shore; 



