74 PHYSICALHISTORYOFMAN. 



I here joined the Porpoise ; and leaving Manua, we directed our 

 course to the three principal islands of the group, which are in closer 

 proximity to each other, and the inhabitants of which are accustomed 

 to constant intercourse. As we approached Upolu, a native was re- 

 ceived on board from a canoe. He was greatly delighted with a 

 musical-box; and when it happened to run down, as one of our 

 party commenced playing on a different instrument, he said, as it 

 appeared, " it had stopped to listen." 



We remained a day at Apia; where I was at once struck with the in- 

 feriority of the Samoan houses, as compared with those of Taheiti. In 

 the aspect of the population, I could find no particular difference. I 

 saw the same large men, and occasionally, individuals of truly Her- 

 culean proportions. The ' age of heroes' still exists in this quarter 

 of the globe ; and I am inclined to think, the Homeric heroes would 

 probably have suffered by a comparison with some of the men of 

 Samoa and Tongataboo. 



The first Polynesian with frizzled hair, was seen at Manua; and 

 other instances occurred, both in the Samoan Group and at Tongata- 

 boo. Except in the hair, these individuals did not differ from the 

 surrounding natives; and the peculiarity is perhaps attributable in 

 part to art, to an imitation of the Feejeeans. 



Mr. Couthouy, during his visit to Upolu, obtained some information 

 respecting a crocodile, believed by the natives to exist in one of the 

 streams. A species of crocodile (C. biporcatus) is known to occur as 

 far east as New Ireland ; and Mariner relates an instance of a strag- 

 gler having reached the Feejee Islands. It seems possible then, that 

 another straggler may have reached Samoa. Some apparent con- 

 nexion will be perceived, with the "image of a large lizard formerly 

 placed on one of the morais" at Taheiti; and also with the fact that 

 " crocodiles are still held in veneration at Timor." 



Savaii, the largest and loftiest island of the group, was next visited. 

 Besides the philological identity in name, it has local points of resem- 

 blance with the widely separated Hawaii; and is indeed the only 

 other island I have examined, that had been overspread with lava- 

 streams. The land rises everywhere with a very gradual and regular 

 slope, towards the broad central summit, which is almost constantly 

 concealed by clouds. Notwithstanding the profuse rains, I saw no 

 signs of streams ; but the water sinking through the porous lava, 

 gushes out in copious springs at the margin of the sea. Owing ap- 

 parently to this absence of streams, there are no large openings 



