very coy at the proposal to remove their scanty garments, and
retired behind a wall to do so; but once in a state of nudity
they made no objection to exposure to the camera." (_Report of
the Horn Scientific Expedition_, 1896, vol. iv, p. 37.)

In Northern Queensland "phallocrypts," or "penis-concealers,"
only used by the males at _corrobborees_ and other public
rejoicings, are either formed of pearl-shell or opossum-string.
The _koom-pa-ra_, or opossum-string form of phallocrypt, forms a
kind of tassel, and is colored red; it is hung from the
waist-belt in the middle line. In both sexes the privates are
only covered on special public occasions, or when in close
proximity to white settlements. (W. Roth, _Ethnological Studies
among the Northwest-Central-Queensland Aborigines_, 1897, pp.
114-115.)

"The principle of chastity," said Forster, of his experiences in
the South Sea Islands in their unspoilt state, "we found in many
families exceedingly well understood. I have seen many fine women
who, with a modesty mixed with politeness, refuse the greatest
and most tempting offers made them by our forward youths; often
they excuse themselves with a simple _tirra-tano_, 'I am
married,' and at other times they smiled and declined it with
_epia_, 'no.' ... Virtuous women hear a joke without emotion,
which, amongst us, might put some men to the blush. Neither
austerity and anger, nor joy and ecstasy is the consequence, but
sometimes a modest, dignified, serene smile spreads itself over
their face, and seems gently to rebuke the uncouth jester." (J.R.
Forster, _Observations made During a Voyage Round the World_,
1728, p. 392.)