82 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
plastered cottage, as that now occupies the place of the 
native hut. 
The timber principally employed in their buildings, is 
the wood of the bread-fruit; and although they are care¬ 
ful of this valuable tree, it is necessary frequently to urge 
the duty of planting, in order to ensure a future supply 
not only of timber but of food, as the large trees are 
now comparatively few, and the population is evidently 
increasing. 
In the commencement of a new settlement, or the 
establishment of a town, like that rising around us at 
the head of Fare harbour, we were desirous that it should 
assume something like a regular form, as it regarded the 
public buildings and habitations of the chiefs and people. 
We repeatedly advised the chiefs and others to build 
their houses and form their public roads in straight lines, 
and to leave regular and equal distances between the 
roads and the houses, and also between their respective 
dwellings. Our endeavours, however, were unavailing. 
They could perceive nothing that was either desirable or 
advantageous in a straight road, or regularity in the site, 
and uniformity in the size or shape, of their dwellings. 
Every one, therefore, followed his own inclinations. 
The size of the building was regulated by the number in 
the family, the rank or the means of its proprietor, and the 
shape by his fancy. It was oblong or square, with high 
gable, or circular ends covered with thatch, so that the 
building resembled an oval more than any other shape. 
The situations selected were either parts of their own 
ground, or such places as accorded with their taste and 
habits. Those who were frequently upon the waters, 
and enjoyed the gentle sea-breezes, or wished to excel 
their neighbours, built a massy pier or causeway in the 
