POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES 
37 
CHAP. n. 
Origin of the inhabitants of the South Sea Islands—Traditions^—Legend 
of Taaoroa and Hina—Resemblance to Jewish history—Coincidences 
in language^ mythology^ &c, with the language, &c, of the Hindoos and 
Malays, Madagasse, and South Americans—Difficulty of reaching 
the islands from the west—Account of different native voyages— 
Geographical extent over which the Polynesian race and language pre¬ 
vail—Account of the introduction of animals—Predictions of their an¬ 
cient prophets relating to the arrival of ships—Traditions of the deluge, 
corresponding with the accounts in sacred and profane writings. 
The origin of the inhabitants of the South Sea Islands^ 
in common with other parts of Polynesia^ is a subject 
perhaps of more interest and curiosity^ than of import¬ 
ance and practical utility. The vast extent of geo¬ 
graphical surface covered by the race of which they 
form an integral portion^ the analogy in character^ 
the identity in language, &c., the remote distance at 
which the different tribes are placed from each other, 
and the isolated spots and solitary clusters which they 
occupy in the vast expanse of surrounding water, render 
the source whence they were derived, one of the mysteries 
connected with the history of our species. 
To a Missionary, the business of whose life is with 
the people among whom he is stationed, every thing 
relating to their history is, at least, interesting; and 
the origin of the islanders has often engaged our at¬ 
tention, and formed the subject of our inquiries. The 
early history of a people destitute of all records, and 
