AGRICULTURE. 
137 
Like the semi-civilized inhabitants of most tro¬ 
pical countries, they are strongly inclined to indo¬ 
lence, which is probably increased, not only by 
the warmth of the climate, but by the abundance 
in which the fruits of the earth are spontaneously 
produced, and the facility with which the means 
of subsistence may be procured. For an unci¬ 
vilized people, however, though there were no 
established trades, or regular divisions of labour, 
they may be considered as industrious, and their 
occupations, though few, considerably varied. The 
principal were agriculture, fishing, building, cloth¬ 
making, and cooking. Agriculture among them 
was but in its infancy; their implements were few 
and simple. The chief, and almost only implement 
used, was the 6, a stick sharpened at the point, 
and used in loosening and turning up the earth. 
Formerly they hardened the end with which they 
penetrated the soil, by charring it in the fire. An 
implement of this kind is still their greatest 
favourite. No ploughs or harrows have yet been 
introduced, for the want of oxen or horses. They 
are not very fond of English spades, hoes, &c. 
The spade, they say, takes up too much earth at 
once, and, besides the stooping required, is a 
heavier load than they like to lift repeatedly. 
The tool most frequently employed, is a long stick 
with a narrow sharp piece of iron, like a broad 
chisel, at the end ; and, as much of the ground is 
stony, in such places it is found very convenient. 
The rudeness of the tool increases the labour of 
the person using it, while his singular position 
must render it exceedingly fatiguing. No use is 
made of the foot in thrusting the spade into the 
soil, but the person digging assumes a crouching 
attitude, pierces the ground, and breaks up the 
