12 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
adapted to cherish any predisposition to so close a 
contact. This method of saluting is called by the New 
Zealanders Ho-gni, Honi by the Sandwich Islanders, 
and Hoi by the Tahitians. In connexion with this, 
the custom of cutting themselves with sharks’ teeth, 
and indulging in loud wailing, was a very singular 
method of receiving a friend, or testifying gladness at 
his arrival ; it was, however, very general when the 
Eurojieans first arrived. 
In the court-yard of the king we were met by 
our friends Messrs. Williams and Threlkeld, who, 
considering the short time they had been among 
the people, had been the means of producing an 
astonishing change, not only in their habits and 
appearance, but even in the natural face of the 
district. A carpenter’s shop had been erected, 
the forge was daily worked by the natives, neat 
cottages were rising in several directions, and a 
large place of worship was building. The wilder¬ 
ness around was cleared to a considerable extent; 
the inhabitants of other parts were repairing to 
Vaoaara, and erecting their habitations, that they 
might enjoy the advantage of instruction. A flou¬ 
rishing school was in daily operation, and a large 
and attentive congregation met for public worship 
in the native chapel every Sabbath-day. In the 
society of our friends we spent a fortnight very 
pleasantly, and having adjusted our public arrange¬ 
ments, returned to Huahine, in the Haweis, in 
which Messrs. Barff, Williams, and myself, proceeded 
to Tahiti. 
The island of Raiatea is not only the most im¬ 
portant in the leeward group, from its central situa- 
