50 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
which the natives seemed remarkably fond, were 
preserved amidst the general devastation. The 
pineapple grew luxuriantly in several parts of 
Tahiti ; and though the natives were told it was 
palatable food, they were so mistaken in the nature 
of the fruit, that they baked numbers of them in 
their native ovens, before they attempted to eat 
any undressed. Had they exercised a little more 
patience, the vine also might perhaps have been 
spared ; for it is stated, that as soon as the young 
grapes appeared, they eagerly plucked and tasted 
them, but, finding them exceedingly sour, they 
became indignant, and, regarding the plant as 
useless, destroyed it. 
The Missionaries who had arrived in the Duff, 
had now acquired so much of the language as to 
be able to preach to the natives in their own 
tongue, and to engage in the catechetical instruc¬ 
tion of the children. In these exercises they did 
not confine themselves to the inhabitants of their 
own vicinity, but visited the adjacent districts; 
and, in the month of March, 1802, Mr. Nott, 
accompanied by Mr. Elder, made the first Mis¬ 
sionary tour of Tahiti. They were, in general, 
hospitably entertained, and had many opportu¬ 
nities of speaking to the people, who frequently 
listened with attention, and often made inquiries, 
either while the preacher was speaking, or after 
the address was ended. They seemed interested 
in the account of the creation, and deeply affected 
with the exhibition of Jesus Christ, as the true 
atonement for sin; instead of pearls, or pigs, or 
other offerings, which they had been accustomed 
to consider as the best means of propitiating their 
deities. Some said they desired to pray to the 
true God, but were afraid the gods of Tahiti would 
