490 HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



every one else. In this island, as well as in the neighboring- 

 one of Amsterdam, the people — both men and women — were 

 observed to have lost one or both of their little fingers. Cook 

 endeavored in vain to discover the reason of this mutilation ; but 

 no one would take any pains to inform him. 



Cook noticed with interest the sailing canoes of these islands. 

 A remarkable feature was the sail, — which, being suspended by 

 its spar from a forked mast, could be so turned that the prow 



CANOES OF THE FRIENDLY ISLANDS. 



of the boat became its stern, and vice versa. They sailed with 

 equal rapidity in either direction. 



On his return to New Zealand in November, Cook found that 

 bis efforts to introduce new plants and animals had been frus- 

 trated by the natives. One of the sows had been incapacitated 

 by a severe cut in one of tier hind-iegs; the other sow and the 

 boar had been sedulously kept separate. The two goats had 

 been killed by a fellow named Gobiah, and the potatoes had 

 been dug up. Cook here had the satisfaction of beholding 

 a feast of human flesh. A portion of the body of a young man 

 of twenty years was broiled and eaten by one of the natives 

 with evident relish. Several of the ship's crew were rendered 

 sick by the disgusting sight. 



The Adventure separated from her consort at this point ; nor 

 was she again seen during the remainder of the voyage. Cook 

 left New Zealand early in December for a last attempt in the 

 Southern Ocean. On the 12th he saw the first ice, and on the 



