A VOYAGE TO 
^54 
1777. Whether this be owing to the failure of fome feafons, to 
i over-population, which muft fometimes almoft neceffarily 
happen, or to wars, 1 have not been able to determine; 
though the truth of the fa£t may fairly be inferred, from 
the great ceconomy that they obferve with refpecft to their 
food, even when there is plenty. In times of fcarcity, after 
their bread-fruit and yams are confumed, they have re- 
courfe to various roots, which grow, without cultivation, 
upon the mountains. Th zpatarra^ which is found in vaft 
quantities, is what they ufe fir ft. It is not unlike a very 
large potatoe or yam, and good when in its growing ftate ; 
but, when old, is full of hard ftringy fibres. They then eat 
two other roots ; one not unlike taro ; and, laftly, the ehoee a 
This is of two forts ; one of them poffefting deleterious 
qualities, which obliges them to flice and macerate it in 
water, a night before they bake and eat it. In this refpecft, 
it refembles the cajfava root of the Weft-Indies ; but it 
forms a very infipid, moift pafte, in the manner they drefs 
it. However, I have feen them eat it at times when no 
fuch fcarcity reigned. Both this and the patarra are creep¬ 
ing plants; the laft, with ternate leaves. 
Of animal food, a very fmall portion falls, at any time, 
to the fhare of the lower clafs of people ; and then it is either 
ftfh, fea-eggs, or other marine productions ; for they feldom 
or ever eat pork. The Eree de hoi * alone, is able to furnifh 
pork every day; and inferior Chiefs, according to their 
riches, once a week, fortnight, or month. Sometimes, they 
are not even allowed that; for, when the ifland is impo- 
verifhed by war, or other caufes, the Chief prohibits his 
* Mr. Anderfon invariably, in his mannfcript, writes Eree de hoi . According to Cap¬ 
tain Cook’s mode, it is Eree rahie. This is one of the numerous inftances that perpe- 
petually occur, of our people’s reprefenting the lame word differently. 
fubjedis 
