IX. Accounts of Otaheite still imperfect. The prevailing
Winds. Beauty of the Country. Cultivation. Natural
Curiosities. The Persons of the Natives. Diseases. General
Character. Love of Pleasure. Language. Surgery and Physic.
Articles of Food. Effects of drinking Ava. Times and Manner of
Eating. Connexions with the Females. Circumcision. System of
Religion. Notions about the Soul and a future Life. Various
Superstitions. Traditions about the Creation. An historical
Legend. Honours paid to the King. Distinction of Ranks.
Punishment of Crimes. Peculiarities of the neighbouring
Islands. Names of their Gods. Names of Islands they visit.
Extent of their Navigation, 10

X. Progress of the Voyage, after leaving the Society Islands.
Christmas Island discovered, and Station of the Ships there.
Boats sent ashore. Great Success in catching Turtle. An
Eclipse of the Sun observed. Distress of two Seamen who had
lost their Way. Inscription left in a Bottle. Account of the
Island. Its Soil. Trees and Plants. Birds. Its Size. Form.
Situation. Anchoring Ground, 139

XI. Some Islands discovered. Account of the Natives of Atooi,
who came off to the Ships, and their Behaviour on going
on Board. One of them killed. Precautions used to prevent
Intercourse with the Females. A Watering-place found.
Reception upon landing. Excursion into the Country. A Morai
visited and described. Graves of the Chiefs, and of the human
Sacrifices, there buried. Another Island, called Oneeheow,
visited. Ceremonies performed by the Natives, who go off to
the Ships. Reasons for believing that they are Cannibals.