26 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
The word tapape , used in the first instance, was 
that which appeared the most suitable, as we were 
anxious to divest the rite of every thing extraordi¬ 
nary or mysterious. The signification of the word 
is to apply water, without expressing the precise 
mode of application. They have no word answer¬ 
ing to the term baptize , as now understood in the 
English language, though they have distinct words 
for sprinkling, pouring, bathing, plunging, &c., 
but we considered the simple application of water 
to approach nearer to the original word baptisto, 
than either of these ; and it seemed so appropriate, 
as to render it unnecessary to introduce any other. 
Subsequently, however, our opinions changed, and 
we adopted the original word, which in Tahitian, is 
written ba-pa-ti-zo, and used only to signify this 
sacred rite. We have thus left it as we found it, 
leaving the scripture to speak its own language, 
without limiting it to what we suppose its peculiar 
signification. 
The water was not sprinkled on the face with 
force ; the sign of the cross was not made, nor was 
water poured on the head from any vessel; but, 
taking one hand from the vessel containing the 
water, and holding it over the individual, we 
allowed so much water as was held in or attached 
to the hand, to fall upon the crown or forehead of 
the baptized, pronouncing, at the same time, the 
name, and the words prescribed in the Gospels. 
Some difficulty was experienced with regard to 
the names, as many of the natives, especially the 
chiefs, have a number ; some of office, others here¬ 
ditary, and not a few intimately connected with 
their former idolatry, or its abominable institutions. 
It was not thought desirable that they should 
assume a new name on receiving baptism, or that 
