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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
which covered the upper part of the body, excepting the 
arms. The appearance of the females was equally 
interesting ; the greater part of them wore a neat and 
tasteful bonnet, made with the rich yellow-tinted 
cocoa-nut leaf. Their countenances were open and 
lively; many of them had inserted a small bunch of the 
fragrant and delicately white gardinia, or Cape jessamine 
flowers, in their hair; in addition to which, several of 
their chief women wore two or three fine native pearls 
fastened together with finely braided human hair, and 
hanging pendent from one of their ears, while the other 
was adorned with a native flower. Their dress was 
remarkably modest and becoming, being generally what 
they term aku bu, which consists of large quantities 
of beautifully white native cloth, wound round the body, 
then passed under one arm, and fastened on the other 
shoulder, leaving uncovered only the neck and face, and 
part of one arm. 
The assembly maintained the most perfect silence, 
until Mr. Davies, who officiated on the occasion, and 
was seated behind the table, which answered the double 
purpose of a desk for the schoolmaster, and a pulpit for 
the minister, rose up, and gave out a hymn in the 
native language. The whole congregation now rose, and 
many of them joined in the singing. A prayer was then 
offered, during which the congregation remained stand¬ 
ing; another hymn was sung; the people then sat down, 
and listened attentively to a discourse, delivered by the 
Missionary standing on the ground behind the desk. 
When this was ended, a short prayer was offered, the 
benediction pronounced, and the service closed. The 
assembly dispersed with the utmost propriety and order; 
many of them, as they passed by, cordially shook me by 
