stalk, with about half a bushel of light mould; the latter is left
bare to the root, and the mould round it is made in the form of a
basin, in order to hold the rain-water, as this root requires a
certain degree of moisture. It has been before observed, that the
tarrow, at the Friendly and Society Islands, was always planted in low
and moist situations, and generally where there was the convenience of
a rivulet to flood it. It was imagined that this mode of culture was
absolutely necessary; but we now found, that, with the precaution
above-mentioned, it succeeds equally well in a drier situation;
indeed, we all remarked, that the tarrow of the Sandwich Islands is
the best we had ever tasted. The plantains are not admitted in these
plantations: but grow amongst the bread-fruit trees.




SECTION VII.


General Account of the Sandwich Islands continued.--Of the Inhabitants.--
Their Origin.--Persons.--Pernicious Effects of the Ava.--Numbers.--
Disposition and Manners.--Reasons for supposing them not Cannibals.--Dress
and Ornaments.--Villages and Houses.--Food.--Occupations and Amusements.--
Addicted to Gaming.--Their extraordinary Dexterity in Swimming.--Arts and
Manufactures.--Curious Specimens of their Sculpture.--Kipparee, or Method
of Painting Cloth.--Mats.--Fishing Hooks.--Cordage.--Salt Pans.--Warlike
Instruments.


The inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands are undoubtedly of the same race