54 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
cocoa nut. The stem projected nearly horizontally, but 
the stern being considerably elevated, extended obliquely 
from the seat occupied by the steersman. The sterns 
were ornamented with rude carving, and, together with 
the sides, painted with a kind of red ochre, while the 
seams were covered with the feathers of aquatic birds. A 
tabu had been recently laid on the island by the priests, 
which they had supposed would prevent the arrival of 
any vessel, and they were consequently rather discon¬ 
certed by our approach. Among the natives who came 
on board, was a remarkably fine, tall, well-made man, 
who appeared, from the respect paid him by the others, 
to be a chief. His body was but partially tataued, his 
only dress was a girdle or broad bandage round his loins, 
and his glossy black and curling hair was tied in a bunch 
on the crown of his head, while its extremities hung in 
ringlets on his shoulders. His disposition appeared 
mild and friendly. His endeavours to induce us to land 
were unremitted, until it was nearly sunset 5 when, find¬ 
ing them unavailing, and receiving from the captain an 
assurance that he would keep near the island till the 
morrow, he remained on board, although considerably 
affected by the motion of the vessel. 
The next morning we stood in close to the reefs, and a 
party from the ship accompanied the chief to the shore; the 
population appeared but small, the people were friendly, 
and readily bartered fowls, taro, and mountain plantains 
for articles of cutlery and fish-hooks. Their gardens were 
unfenced, and the few pigs they had, were kept in holes 
or wide pits four or five feet deep, and fed with bread¬ 
fruit and other vegetables. Only one was brought on 
board, and very readily purchased. Many of the natives, 
in addition to the common bandage encii’cling their bodies, 
