THE MALAY RACE. 



67 



Mr. Rich, " no large trees, except cocoa palms, were visible. The 

 Calophyllum, however, and a branch of the mangrove, indicated a 

 greater variety of productions than is usual at the Coral Islands :" 

 doubtless owing to a greater continuity of surface. Mr. Rich ascer- 

 tained here, " that rice-paper is manufactured from the root of Scoe- 

 vola lobelia ;" a fact confirmed by subsequent inquiry in the East 

 Indies (where this common indigenous plant of the Coral Islands is 

 likewise found). Besides the two kinds of taro, plantations of 'bread- 

 fruit' were spoken of; the bamboo was known; and likewise, ' mullet- 

 ponds,' as at the Hawaiian Islands. Dogs were seen, and also fowls; 

 the latter were " not eaten, but were kept in cages for fighting." It 

 appears, moreover, from Mr. Hale's Vocabulary, that all the intro- 

 duced animals and plants, have Polynesian names. 



In other respects, a marked change had taken place, from the cus- 

 toms of the Polynesians. There was a word for lying, and even 

 for sarcasm; divination or sorcery was also known; and the natives 

 paid worship to the manes or spirits of their departed ancestors. 

 The conical hat was found here, and had given its name to one of 

 the islands of the group. A novel use was made of the cocoa palm, 

 to produce a kind of molasses; and in conformity with a common 

 belief, these were the only islanders seen in the Pacific, " who had 

 decayed teeth." Shortsightedness was well known ; and again un- 

 like the Polynesians, the majority of the population were of inferior 

 stature. The limit in respect to children was here extended to three. 

 Although there was little communication even between the different 

 islands of the group, Mr. Hale found a traditional knowledge both of 

 Banabe (or Ascension) in the Caroline Group, and of Samoa. 



The branching shark's teeth saws, a weapon so unique and formi- 

 dable in appearance, together with the defensive armour of cocoa 

 fibre, were found at Drummond Island. The form of the cuirass is 

 nearly the same with that of Ombay, as figured in the French Voy- 

 ages. Moreover, the Tarawan paddle resembles the oar of the Persian 

 Gulf: and we note also, that children were betrothed at an early age ; 

 and that the Pharaonic custom was observed, of naming a child after 

 the grandfather. 



No direct communication was had with the inhabitants of the ex- 

 tensive Radack Group ; but the information obtained by Mr. Hale, re- 

 specting Milk (one of the southernmost islands), will be found of much 

 interest. Kotzebue appears hitherto to have enjoyed the best oppor- 



