84 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
their skin, the ruddy bloom of health and vigour 
or the sudden blush, is often seen mantling the 
youthful countenance under the light brown tinge, 
which, like a thin veil, but partially conceals its 
glowing hue. The females who are much em¬ 
ployed in beating cloth, making mats, or other 
occupations followed under shelter, are usually 
fairer than the rest; while the fishermen, who are 
most exposed to the sun, are invariably the darkest 
portion of the population. 
Darkness of colour was generally considered an 
indication of strength ; and fairness of complexion, 
the contrary. Hence, the men were not solicitous 
either to cover their persons, or avoid the sun's 
rays, from any apprehension of the effect it would 
produce on the skin. When they searched the 
field of battle for the bones of the slain, to use them 
in the manufacture of chisels, gimlets, or fish-hooks, 
they always selected those whose skins were dark, 
as they supposed their bones were strongest. When 
I have seen the natives looking at a very dark man, 
I have sometimes heard them say, Taata ra e , 
te ereere ! ivi maitai tona: “ The man, how dark! 
good bones are his." A fair complexion was not an 
object of admiration or desire. They never consi¬ 
dered the fairest European countenance seen among 
them, handsomer than their own; and sometimes, 
when a fine, tall, well-formed, and personable man 
has landed from a ship, they have remarked as he 
passed along, “ A fine man that, if he were but a 
native." They formerly supposed the white colour 
of the European’s skin to the effect of illness, and 
hence beheld it with pity. This opinion probably 
originated from the effects of a disease with which 
they are occasionally afflicted—a kind of leprosy, 
which turns the skin of the parts affected, white. 
