ROTTJMA. 
573 
there was such a numerous population, requiring so many houses and 
so much firewood, that no person was allowed to cut down a tree with- 
out planting another in its place. But no such precaution is necessary 
now. 
His Characteristics. — The Rotuman in his home is prudent ; he 
counts the cost, thinks before he acts, is cautious ; he is courteous and 
inquisitive. These two traits of his character shine out conspicuously 
in his dealings with strangers. He is extremely hospitable, giving the 
best he has to offer, and sometimes giving food when he has to go 
without himself. He is logical in his way. Everything English he 
thinks is better than Rotuman. “ Their axes are better than our stone 
axes, their muskets than our spears and clubs, their knives than our 
cockle-shell, their ships than our cauoes; the English have a God, 
therefore the God of the English must be superior to ours.” Thus 
the Rotuman reasons. He is industrious, especially when away from 
home and thrown upon his own resources. At home the land, being 
wonderfully fertile, yields him all that he requires without his 
exerting himself much. Abroad, he works on contentedly day after 
day. It is this trait of his character, combined with his skill, that 
makes the Rotuman such a favourite among sea captains. He is also 
honest — always pays his debts. We never lost anything during our 
residence in Rotuma. A gentleman who lived there for twelve or 
fourteen years, who had two trading stations and daily business 
transactions with the natives, told me that, although he was under the 
necessity of giving them credit very frequently, yet, during all those 
years, he had never lost a pound. This will appear the more remark- 
able when we remember that it has been the law of the land, since 
annexation, that no white man can sue a native for debt. 
Probably never Cannibals. — Whether or not the Rotumans were 
ever cannibals is doubtful. They have no written records that date 
further hack than thirty years. With one or two exceptions, all that 
were askecl stated that they never heard of any cannibalism in 
Rotuma. Nor does their language seem to possess any word equivalent 
to the Bijian word bo kola, which signified human flesh to he eaten. 
If ever they were cannibals it is certainly not within the memory of 
any living Rotuman. 
Their Knoioledge. — Until the arrival of the white man these 
islanders had no written language; but from their ancestors, without 
the aid of books, they have acquired a good knowledge of the botany 
and natural history of the country in which they live. They have 
named every herb, shrub, and tree, and have ascertained the peculiar 
properties of many. Every sort of insect, fish, bird, and shells has 
been named by them, and they know the habits of many. Nor is their 
knowledge confined to the island on which they live and the briny 
ocean around them, for they have given some attention to the starry 
sky, not only naming the sun and moon but also the principal groups 
of stars in their horizon. 
Ow?iership of Land . — Every Rotuman is a land-owner. All 
know r their respective land. They have no title deeds in their pos- 
session by which to hold their land, but they have unwritten titles, 
handed down by their ancestors, which all respect. They all know 
the boundaries of their own and their neighbour’s land, hence the 
