424 



BERGH'S GROUP. 



[1830. 



of the bamboo, and for lead sinkers they substitute small smooth 

 heavy stones. Their hooks and lines are also very ingeniously con- 

 structed ; the former being made of mother-of-pearl shell and tor- 

 toise-shell. The pearl-shell is well adapted to this purpose, as hooks 

 of this kind require no bait ; for the shining property of the shell de- 

 ceives the fish, which darts at the fatal illusion, and swallows it without 

 hesitation. Their lines are made of the same materials as their nets ; 

 they are very neatly twisted, and of great strength. As this people 

 spend a great portion of their time in fishing, they think it but a trifle 

 to go forty or fifty miles a day in search of their prey, and return the 

 same evening. 



On our first visit to these islands, I stated that a circle of about forty 

 small islands surrounded several larger ones, four of which were about 

 thirty miles in circumference. Only the interior islands are inhabited, 

 and they contain a population of about thirty-five thousand, divided into 

 two distinct races. The two principal westernmost islands, with a few 

 small ones, are peopled by a copper-coloured Indian race; while the 

 two easternmost, with their dependencies, contain a race more nearly 

 allied to the negro ; and they frequently make war upon each other, as 

 I understood from both parties, although they were now at peace, and 

 on friendly terms. The blacks are the most numerous, being about 

 twenty thousand in number, while the Indians do not exceed fifteen 

 thousand. I will here attempt a brief description of both, commencing" 

 with the negro tribe, on the two easternmost islands. 



In stature the men are about five feet ten inches, well propor- 

 tioned, muscular, and active ; with prominent swelling chests, well- 

 moulded limbs, and small feet and hands. Their hair is fine and much 

 curled, but not like the African's. Their foreheads are high and up- 

 right, their cheek-bones elevated, their noses well formed, and their 

 lips moderately thin. They have beautiful white teeth, broad chins, 

 short thick necks, broad shoulders, and small ears, standing a little 

 more off from the head than ours. Their eyes are black, bright, quick, 

 and penetrating, with high and long eyelashes. The general expres- 

 sion of the countenance indicates a fierce and daring temperament. 



Around the waist or loins they wear a mat, made of the bark of a 

 tree, handsomely woven, and tastefully ornamented with a variety of 

 figures of different colours. They also wear head ornaments, made 

 of the same materials, beautifully adorned with different kinds of feath- 

 ers ; and this, when placed upon the head, resembles a low turban, 

 surmounted with a rich and gaudy fringe. The chiefs have their ears 

 split, or the rim so cut as to present a large opening, in which they 

 wear blocks of very light wood, often as big as a man's wrist. This 

 is generally tastefully decorated with a variety of beautiful feathers, 

 sharks' teeth, &c. They also wear about their necks necklaces of 

 tortoise-shell, pearl-shell, and tufts of fine feathers. Their bodies are 

 very much tattooed, and the operation is generally executed in quite a 

 tasteful manner, having the appearance of armour. They paint their 

 hair red, and their faces yellow and white ; except when going to war, 

 when the latter are painted red, to heighten their ferocious appearance. 



The women are small in size, with very handsome delicate features, 



