446 
POLYNESIAN RESEARGHES. 
in the centre, from the sand or earth taken from its 
borders. 
The eighth law, referring to rebellion, is translated from 
the amended code of 1826, simply because this article 
was much shorter than in that of 1823. It contains the 
substance of the former enactment, which had been 
copied verbatim from the Tahitian code, and was drawn 
up by Pomare, it fixes the punishment for the third 
offence to perpetual banishment, instead of leaving it 
optional with the judges to banish, or sentence to public 
labour for seven years or for life. 
The ninth regulation can only be of temporary applica¬ 
tion, and the necessity for its introduction arose from 
the peculiar circumstances of the people, while passing, 
as it were, from paganism to Christianity. Prior to the 
subversion of heathenism, polygamy prevailed more or 
less in all the South Sea Islands: some of the chief 
women had also a plurality of husbands. This regula¬ 
tion did not require those who had entered into these 
relations in a heathen state to dissolve them on becom¬ 
ing Christians, and was only designed to prevent any 
one from making these engagements after they had 
become such : it is a circumstance which merits notice, 
that there were very few who did not of their own ac¬ 
cord, and by agreement among themselves, disannul this 
relationship excepting with one individual. They knew 
that with more than one person, it was inconsistent with 
the precepts of the Bible; and this consideration induced 
the discontinuance of their former practice. If their 
previous habits of life, and the notorious licentiousness 
of their character, be regarded, their conduct in this 
respect is a striking illustration of the power of Divine 
truth upon their minds, and of the attention they con- 
