DRESS AND HABITS. 141 
the islanders, in their features and complexion, 
as well as their dress and manners, they are 
said to resemble the people of one of our English 
villages of the better order. A few of them are, 
however, rather darker than the generality of 
Europeans, partaking more of their half-Otahei- 
tan descent. 
A few words about dress. The women gene- 
rally wear a full petticoat, and over that a loose 
gown, with a handkerchief thrown over the 
shoulders. A wreath of flowers is often worn 
round the head. There are many large trees on 
the island, which produce small white flowers, 
much esteemed for their fragrance ; and of the 
flowers of this tree (Morinda citrifolia) , or a 
mixture of them with bright red flowers, the 
females make their wreaths. Their hair is worn 
in bands, and is brought up in a very becoming 
manner into a knot cleverly twisted behind. 
The men wear short trousers, the legs of which 
are cut off two or three inches above the knee. 
A shirt, and a cap or hat, complete their costume. 
They seldom wear shoes or stockings, except on 
Sundays. 
The people live principally on vegetables, 
having meat about once a-week; and each 
family gets fish once, and, occasionally, twice 
a-week. The fishing is difficult and precarious, 
as they have to seek the fish in very deep water, 
often at the depth of 150 or 200 fathoms. 
At the commencement of the yam-digging 
season, in April, when there is much hard work 
in prospect, and they require better food, and 
more of it, each family, having a hog, kills it. 
