230 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
The process of binding appeared to the natives 
much more simple than that of printing; yet, in 
addition to those whom we were endeavouring to 
instruct, each of the principal chiefs sent one of 
his most clever men, to learn how to put a book 
together. For some time we bound every book 
that was given to the natives ; but our materials 
being expended long before they were supplied, 
and the people continuing impatient for the books, 
even in sheets—rather than keep them destitute 
of the Scripture already printed, they were thus 
distributed. 
Those among the natives who had learned to 
bind were now overwhelmed with business, and 
derived no inconsiderable emolument from their 
trade, as they required each person to bring the 
pasteboard necessary for his own books, and also 
a piece of skin or leather for the back, or for the 
whole cover. Many soon learned to sew the 
sheets together, others cut pieces of wood very 
thin, instead of pasteboard, which were fastened 
to the sides ; the edges of the leaves were then 
cut with a knife ; and the book used in this state 
daily, while the owner was searching for a skin or 
a piece of leather, with which to cover it for more 
effectual preservation. This was the most difficult 
article to procure, and many books were used with¬ 
out it for many months. 
Leather was now the article in greatest requi¬ 
sition among all classes ; and the poor animals, 
that had heretofore lived in undisturbed ease and 
freedom, were hunted solely for their skins. The 
printing-office was converted into a tanyard; old 
canoes, filled with lime-water, were prepared; and 
all kinds of skins brought to have the hair 
extracted, and the oily matters dissipated. It was 
