56.

The Natives of the Marquesas Islands

¹

The trees, plants, and other productions of these isles, so far as we know, are nearly the same as at Tahiti and the Society Islands. The refreshments to be had include hogs, fowls, plantains, yams, and some other roots; likewise bread-fruit and coconut, but of these not many. At first these articles were purchased with nails. Beads, looking-glasses, and such trifles, which are so highly valued at the Society Islands, are in no esteem here; and even nails at last lost their value for other articles far less useful. The inhabitants of these islands, for handsome shape and regular features, perhaps surpass all other peoples. Nevertheless, the affinity of their language to that spoken in Tahiti and the Society Islands shows that they are of the same race. . . .

The men are curiously tattooed from head to foot. The figures are various, and seem to be directed more by fancy than custom. This tattooing makes them look dark; but the women, who are but little punctured, and youths and young children, who are not at all punctured, are as fair as some Europeans. The men are in general tall; that is, about five feet, ten inches, or six feet; but I saw none who were fat and lusty; nor did I see any who could be called meager. Their teeth are not so good, nor are their eyes so full and lively, as those of many other peoples. Their hair, like ours, is of many colors, except red, of which I saw none. Some wear it long; but the most common custom is to wear it short, except a bunch on each side of the crown, which they tie in a knot. They observe different modes in trimming the beard. Some part it, and tie it in two bunches under the chin; others plait it; some wear it loose, and others quite short.

The clothing is the same as at Tahiti, and made of the same materials; but they do not have it in such plenty, nor is it so good. The men, for the most part, have nothing to cover their nakedness, except . . . a slip of cloth passed round the waist and between the legs. This simple dress is quite sufficient for the climate. The dress of the women is a piece of cloth, wrapped round the waist like a petticoat, and a loose mantle over the shoulders. Their principal headdress, and what appears to be their chief ornament, is a sort of broad fillet, curiously made of the fibers of the husk of coconuts. . . . Their ordinary ornaments are necklaces and amulets made of shells. I did not see any with earrings, and yet all of the natives had their ears pierced.

Their dwellings are in the valleys and on the sides of the hills near their plantations. They are built after the same manner as at Tahiti; but are much meaner, and covered only with the leaves of the bread-fruit tree. The most of them are built on a square or oblong pavement of stone, raised some height above the level of the ground. They likewise have such pavements near their houses, on which they sit to eat and amuse themselves. In the matter of eating, these people are by no means so cleanly as the Tahitians; they are likewise dirty in their cookery. Pork and fowls are cooked in an oven of hot stones as at Tahiti; but fruit and roots they roast on the fire and, after taking off the rind or skin, put them into a platter or trough with water, out of which I have seen both men and hogs eat at the same time. . . .

They seem to have dwellings or strongholds on the summits of the highest hills. These we saw only by the help of telescopes, for I did not permit any of our people to go there. We were not sufficiently acquainted with the disposition of the natives, which, however, I believe is humane and peaceful.

¹ , bk. ii, ch. 10.