THE PAPUAN RACE. 



167 



curred, sometimes from extreme necessity, or as a deed of savage fero- 

 city ; and we read of tribes who practise it as a ceremony, religious 

 rite, or even as a manifestation of affection. At tlie Feejee Islands, 

 the custom rests on different grounds. It is here interwoven in the 

 elements of society ; it forms in no slight degree a pursuit ; and 

 it is even regarded in the light of a refinement. Instances are of 

 daily occurrence ; and the preparation of human flesh, calls into re- 

 quisition a variety of culinary processes, and is almost a distinct art. 

 There are, however, degrees in the practice, in different parts of the 

 group ; and some revolting details were given, which, it seems hardly 

 worth while to repeat. 



In common with arts and attainments, the traces of cannibalism 

 existing among the Polynesians, have appeared to me referable to a 

 Feejeean source. And it is an interesting circumstance, that this 

 practice should not have acquired general and permanent foothold 

 among a people so easily influenced by example. In passing through 

 the Polynesian Groups, I made special inquiries on the subject; and 

 this seems a suitable place for recording the result. 



At the Samoan Islands, according to the missionaries, " the natives 

 had never been cannibals, in the proper acceptation of the term ; 

 but human flesh had been sometimes tasted in the wars, as an act of 

 vengeance." 



At New Zealand, the existence of cannibalism was denied by those 

 who were most intimately acquainted with the natives ; and notwith- 

 standing some authentic instances on record, I was satisfied that there 

 had been much exaggeration on the subject. 



At Tongataboo, the missionaries stated, that " the natives strenu- 

 ously deny having ever committed acts of cannibalism; and that they 

 are offended at the charge." But one of the missionaries thought 

 that nevertheless, there had been a few instances. The amount 

 of Tonga cannibalism, may indeed be gathered from the work of 

 Mariner. 



Cannibalism was certainly once practised at the Hawaiian Islands ; 

 not by the community generally, but rather, it would seem, by a class 

 of outlaws. According to the Hawaiian lady so often quoted, "persons 

 travelling singly, or even two in company, were sometimes waylaid; 

 and their flesh was cooked in stone vessels having somewhat the form 

 of jars." The latter circumstance, differing so essentially from the 

 usual Polynesian cookery, together with the "necklaces of human 



