A VOYAGE TO 
3W 
1777- “ * We had feen the drinking of kava fometimes, at the 
JZ—J Other iflands; but, by no means, fo frequently as here, 
where it feems to be the only forenoon employment of the 
principal people. The kava is a fpecies of pepper, which 
they cultivate for this purpofe, and efteem it a valuable ar¬ 
ticle, taking great care to defend the young plants from 
any injury; and it is commonly planted about their houfes. 
It feldom grows to more than a man’s height; though I 
have feen fome plants almoft double that. It branches con- 
fiderably, with large heart-fhaped leaves, and jointed flalks. 
The root is the only part that is ufed at the Friendly Mauds, 
which, being dug up, is given to the fervants that attend, 
who, breaking it in pieces, fcrape the dirt off with a fb ell, 
or bit of flick; and then each begins and chews his portion, 
which he fpits into a piece of plantain leaf. The perfon, 
who is to prepare the liquor, collects all thefe mouthfuls, 
and puts them into a large wooden difh or bowl, adding as 
much water as will make it of a proper ftrength. It is, 
then, well mixed up with the hands; and fome loofe fluff, 
of which mats are made, is thrown upon the furface, 
which intercepts the fibrous part, and is wrung hard, to 
get as much liquid out from it, as is poflible. The manner 
of diilributing it need not be repeated. The quantity which 
is put into each cup, is commonly about a quarter of a pint. 
The immediate effedt of this beverage is not perceptible on 
thefe people, who ufe it fo frequently; but on fome of 
ours, w ho ventured to try it, though fo naftily prepared, it 
had the fame power as fpirits have, in intoxicating them; 
or, rather, it produced that kind of flupefa£lion, which is 
the confequence of ufing opium, or other fubflances of that 
* The following account of kava , to the end of this paragraph, is inferted from Mr. 
Anderfon’s journal. 
kind. 
