66 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



was made to land; but the island was ascertained to be "destitute of 

 both trees and shrubs." 



For an account of the inhabitants of the Union, Ellice, Tarawan 

 or Kingsmill, and Radack Groups, which were successively visited 

 by the Peacock, I must principally refer to the Narrative and Eth- 

 nography of the Expedition. It will be perceived that I have enume- 

 rated tribes differing materially in their customs and languages, and 

 in some instances, not strictly belonging to the Polynesian family; 

 but they all dwell on coral islands, and their union here, has reference 

 to their being subjected to the same external circumstances. 



At the Union or Otafuan Group, a landing was effected on the 

 island of Otafu. " The cocoa palm, Pandanus, and Morinda were all 

 present ; together with the Gardenia, the flowers of which are worn 

 for ornament at Taheiti." Mr. Agate observed, that the inhabitants 

 " derived their supplies of water from the rains, by means of a cavity 

 cut in the base of the cocoa stems;" a process familiarly known also 

 on the high islands. 



At Fakaafo, the island on which the chief resided, Mr. Rich again 

 observed " the four plants above-mentioned ; and in addition, the fla- 

 bellate palm, which is cultivated at the Samoa and Tonga Islands. 

 A sort of Spirit-house was found here, and a purple-crowned yellow 

 pigeon, which had been tamed." The apparent absence, at this 

 group, of the use of fire, merits further inquiry : indeed, I do not 

 remember to have seen any signs of fire at the Disappointment 

 Islands. 



Swaiii^s Island, which is detached from the rest of the group, and 

 is not far from the Samoa Islands, " appeared to be uninhabited ; but 

 it was covered with cocoa palms, mixed with the Pandanus." 



At the Ellice or Vaitupan Group, the pains taken in dressing the 

 hair in a variety of modes, recalls the customs of the Feejeeans. An 

 Albino also was found here, who, according to Mr. Agate, " had blue 

 eyes, and was at first mistaken for a European :" and the circum- 

 stance deserves further notice, as albinoes seem to be of rare occur- 

 rence in the Malay race. Chequered mats, of different colours, were 

 obtained at the Vaitupan Group ; and they seem to show affinity with 

 the manufactures of the East Indies. Wooden shark-hooks were also 

 obtained, which may be compared with those of Penrhyn Island. 



At the extensive Kingsmill or Tarawan Group, according to 



