xii 
CONTENTS. 
bread-fruit—Quadrupeds—Absence of venomous animals 
and reptiles—Manner of rearing pigs—Birds of the 
South Sea Islands—Albatross — Pigeons — Domestic 
fowls—Number and variety of fish on the coasts, and 
in the lakes and rivers. 
CHAP. IV. 
FROM PAGE 78 TO PAGE 100. 
Inhabitants of the islands of the Pacific-Oceanic ne¬ 
groes—Eastern Polynesians—General account of the 
South Sea Islanders—Physical character—Expression 
of countenance—Stature, colour, &c.—Mental capa¬ 
city—Ancient division and computation of time—Tahi¬ 
tian numerals — Extended calculations — Aptness in 
receiving instruction—Moral character—Hospitality— 
Extensive and affecting moral degradation—Its ener¬ 
vating influence—Former longevity of the islanders. 
CHAP. V. 
FROM PAGE 101. TO PAGE 127. 
Comparative numbers of the inhabitants—Indications and 
causes of depopulation—Beneficial tendency of Christi¬ 
anity—Origin of the inhabitants of the South Sea 
Islands—Traditions—Legends of Taaroa and Hina— 
Resemblance to Jewish history—Coincidences in lan¬ 
guage, mythology, &c. with the language, &c. of the 
Hindoos and Malays, Madagasse, and South Americans 
—Probable source of population—Difficulty of reaching 
the islands from the west—Account of the different 
native voyages—Geographical extent over which the 
Polynesian race and language prevail. 
CHAP. YI. 
FROM PAGE 128 TO PAGE 159. 
Habits of the Islanders—Unsocial in domestic life-* 
Humiliating circumstances of the females'—Irregular 
mode of life—Time of taking food—Cleanliness—Fre¬ 
quent bathing—Manner of wearing the hair, and remov¬ 
ing the beard—Artificial flowers—Native toilet—Occu¬ 
pations—Agriculture—Implements, &c.—Fishing—En¬ 
closures—Salmon and other nets—Use of the spear—> 
