186 
the person deceased, Tfhey bury the 
body at a particular place back of their 
houses, and use mats for a coffin. After 
the ceremony of interment is perform¬ 
ed, they plant two cocoanut trees, one 
at the head and the other at the feet of 
the buried person. But if the trees ev¬ 
er bear fruit, the women are prohibited 
from eating thereof, for fear of displeas¬ 
ing the bad spirit, Jlnit. And here it 
may not be inappropriate to remind the 
reader that Eve ate of the forbidden 
fruit, notwithstanding she knew it would 
displease the Good Spirit. 
In their personal appearance, the na¬ 
tives are about the middle size, with 
broad faces, flat noses, black hair and 
eyes, and large mouths. 
In relation to literature, they are as 
ignorant as it is possible for people to 
be, having not the most distant idea of 
letters. 
Concerning the religion of the un¬ 
taught natives of the M ulgraves, the fol¬ 
lowing remarks will give all the knowl¬ 
edge I am in possession of : 
