618 
PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION F. 
two vaa-alo, or large fishing canoes, on the deck, which, on reaching 
the reef, were used in fishing for Lonito, &c., the large canoe being 
reserved for crew and cargo. 
Arrangements for Voyages . 
I have often asked the natives how they managed for cooking, 
storage of water, sleeping accommodation, & *., during their voyages. 
As to the former, provision was made for a fire by building up stones 
and earth in some part of the hold or shed, whilst water was stored 
in bamboos, or water-bottles made from gourds or coeoanuts. In 
answer to my query as to whether they did not often run short of 
water, they have astonished me by saying that the voyagers always 
took a supply of a certain kind of herb or shrub as a stand-by in 
case of need. By chewing the leaves of this plant, they declared that 
they could drink the sea-water with some kind of impunity, and thus 
assuage thirst. I made many ineffectual inquiries as to the name of 
this plant, hut could never find out what it was. Those I asked said 
they did not know what the shrub w r as, but were confident that such 
a custom prevailed in the past, when voyages were more frequently 
made by their ancestors. Subsequently I have ascertained that 
cocaine has the power of so completely deadening the palate and 
throat that sea-water may be taken with impunity, so far as taste is 
concerned, hut that the consequences of drinking sea-water for any 
length of time would be disastrous. The miners of some part of 
South America chew the leaves of the coca-plum mixed with lime, 
and find in it a great resource and consolation, as it is said to remove 
the sense of hunger and thirst, and enables them to endure fatigue. The 
kola plant and nut also possess similar properties, and have been known 
before the earliest written records, for they enabled the natives to 
perform journeys the reports of which at that time seemed incredible, 
and, in fact, they were called, “ travellers’ tales” ; but later information 
has proved their value. I think it likely that some plant of the coca 
species may be found in Samoa, or some neighbouring group, that at 
one time supplied the wants of these early voyagers. The Bev. S. 
Ella tells me that he had never heard of the plant I speak of being 
chewed by voyagers, thus allowing them to drink sea-water as safe and 
palatable : “1 have known, experimentally, that chewiug the Ti leaf 
( Dracama ) allayed the feeling of thirst.” Eurther research may show 
that some such plant as the coca shrub was known to the Samoans in 
the early times, and used by them as an adjunct in their voyages. 
Eish would be often procured as they sailed onwards, and which 
it is probable would be eaten raw in many cases, as is the custom with 
numbers in the present day, Ta otad, or raw fish, being esteemed a 
great delicacy. Stores of fruit, and prepared or fermented bread- 
fruit, Masi , would also be taken on hoard, and replenished from time 
to time, as also water, at the different islands they visited ; and in 
many instances these calling-places were not only well known but of 
frequent occurrence. The sleeping accommodation must have been 
scant and uncomfortable, but the Samoans were not so particular in 
these matters as we are, and by dividing their crews into watches they 
would generally manage to get some rest. 
Certain constellations were their guides in sailing, to which they 
trusted with confidence and success ; the Amonga , Orion’s belt, being 
