THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
159 
principal features, that of the Society and Friendly Iflands. 1779. 
Their Morais , their IVhattas , their idols, their facrifices, and t M ^ ch ‘ 8 
their facred fongs, all of which they have in common with 
each other, are convincing proofs, that their religious no¬ 
tions are derived from the fame fource. In the length and 
number of their ceremonies, this branch indeed far exceeds 
the reft; and, though in all thefe countries there is a cer¬ 
tain clafs of men, to whofe care the performance of their 
religious rites is committed; yet we had never met with a 
regular fociety of priefts, till we difccfvered the cloifters of 
Kakooa in Karakakooa Bay. The head of this order was 
called Orono ; a title which we imagined to imply fomething 
highly facred, and which, in the perfon of Omeeah, was 
honoured almoft to adoration. It is probable, that the pri¬ 
vilege of entering into this order (at lead: as to the princi¬ 
pal offices in it), is limited to certain families. Omeeah, 
the Orono , was the fon of Kaoo, and the uncle of Kairee- 
keea; which lad: predded, during the abfence of his grand¬ 
father, in all religious ceremonies at the Moral. It was alfo 
remarked, that the child of Omeeah, an only fon, about 
five years old, w*as never differed to appear without a num¬ 
ber of attendants, and fuch other marks of care and folici- 
tude, as we faw no other like indance of. This feemed to 
indicate, that his life was an object of the greated moment, 
and that he was dedined to lucceed to the high rank of his 
father. 
It has been mentioned, that the title of Orono^ with all its 
honours, was given to Captain Cook; and it is alfo certain, 
that they regarded us, generally, as a race of people fupe- 
rior to themfelves ; and ufed often to fay, that great Eatooa 
dwelled in our country. The little image, which we 
have before defcribed, as the favourite idol on the Moral 
in 
