THE PELEW ISLANDS, 
3*3 
hatchets might appear to our people, it was a matter of 
furprize, to obferve in how little a time the natives were 
able to fell a tree with them, though not without breaking 
fever al. 
The things which I have above mentioned were fuch as 
their natural wants required; when thefe had been provided 
againft, ingenuity thereto fuperadded a few articles, which 
might in thefe iilands be deemed luxuries. The fhell of the 
tortoife was there remarkably beautiful, and the natives of 
PElew had discovered the art of moulding it into little 
trays or difhes, and into fpoons, with which, on particular See plate IF. 
occafions, they eat their fiih and yams.—Some of the great 
ladies had alfo bracelets of the fame manufacture, and ear¬ 
rings inlaid with fhells. 
How they conceived this art of working the tortoife- 
fhell, or the idea of improving on a natural advantage, or 
what procefs they made ufe of to effeCt it, our people had 
no opportunity of difcovering. 
On days of public feftivity, there was ufually brought out 
the veffel mentioned in page ioi, and~there figured as re- 
prefenting a bird, the top of which lifted off, forming its 
back. It contained about thirty-fix Engli/Jj quarts ; and was 
filled with fweet drink for the King and his Rupacks. This 
was Abba Thulle’s property; and when one confiders it 
as the work of fo much time and patience (and the more 
eftimable, as being the only veflel of the kind in their coun- 
S f 
fig. i.andl. 
See plate VI. 
fig • 2 . 
AND 
Plate IIP 
fig • 3 ' 
